Arabic version: مركز رعاية أطفال في سيدني يُعرض عليه عام من الإيجار المجاني

According to ABC News, the City of Sydney has offered Goodstart East Sydney 12 months of free rent in an effort to prevent the Darlinghurst childcare centre from closing. Goodstart Early Learning had announced plans to shut the service on November 26, citing high costs.

The not-for-profit provider, which rents the site from the City of Sydney, said the centre was running at a “significant loss” despite high occupancy. It said additional staff were needed to supervise children because the service is spread across multiple levels. Goodstart also said the federal government had rejected its request to lift fees above a current cap of $175 a day.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the rent waiver was intended to provide stability for parents and the Darlinghurst learning community while the centre’s future is resolved. Goodstart, which leases three other City of Sydney sites, had not said whether it would accept the offer. The ABC said it had sought comment from the provider.

Parents rallied at Kings Cross on Saturday, warning that nearby childcare places were scarce. Parent Tim Martin said he and his wife had contacted close to six centres, but they were full or only had limited availability. Fiona Thatcher said the area may not be able to accommodate the 60 families enrolled at Goodstart East Sydney and more than 100 on its waiting list. Labor councillor Zann Maxwell said the City of Sydney should consider running its own centre if Goodstart could not continue; the council already owns and operates four centres.