Last week, TWiSK revealed that council is set to displace 35 families from its own Coventry Children’s Centre to make way for children from two nearby community-run centres while they are redeveloped in 2027/28 as part of a $35 million state and federal government program.
Since then, TWiSK has learned this was not the first time council had moved families out of one of its own childcare centres.
This account comes from a post on the Coventry families’ petition website.
Zero consultation at North St Kilda too
A parent whose two children attended the council-run North St Kilda Children’s Centre says families were given “zero consultation”. They were told their children would have to leave the centre so other services could use the site.
“I’m so sorry this is happening to you too,” the parent said, responding to Coventry Children’s Centre families now facing displacement. “This also happened to all of the children at North St Kilda Children’s Centre last year.”
The parent said families were told – not asked – that their children would be moved out so community-run centres could rotate through the North St Kilda site during redevelopment works.
“Council has consistently put community centres above council centres when all children need to be considered,” the parent said. “It continues to make zero sense.”
With two children enrolled, the parent said the move created enormous stress.
“I cannot begin to tell you the stress the whole process has caused – the lack of assistance throughout and the fact our voices had no weight,” they said. “We were constantly told and not consulted. It goes against any council values.”
The family’s children were moved to council rooms at St Kilda Town Hall, but the parent said the facilities were not ready when families arrived in January.
“There were no shade cloths or mature trees planted, in the heat of the summer,” they said. “And there are still no blinds while our children nap.”
The parent said the disruption continued when families were told the childcare licence for the space had not been finalised.
“In a commotion, they moved our children downstairs to Bubup Nairm effective immediately,” they said. “It was very confusing trying to get our children used to numerous spaces and deeply unsettling.”
Despite the upheaval, the parent praised staff who moved with the children.
“I cannot fault the staff that moved from North St Kilda — this is the sole reason why we have stayed,” they said.
But the parent said the damage to the centre community had been lasting.
“It completely dissolved the gorgeous community that existed at North,” the parent said. “The whole process has been nothing short of a disappointment.”
Questions from Coventry families
Meanwhile, Coventry Children’s Centre parents say they have been left with more questions than answers.
A concerned Coventry parent told TWiSK that families could not understand why their children were being forced out when their centre was not one of the sites scheduled for upgrade.
“Coventry is not one of the centres being upgraded,” the parent said. “Six facilities are being upgraded — Eildon Road, Clarendon, The Avenue, Elwood, Lilian Cannam and North St Kilda. Coventry is not among them. Our children lose two years and get nothing back.”
The parent said families were also alarmed that Coventry children appeared to be the only group being split up rather than moved together with their educators and friends.
“Every other centre moves as a group,” the parent said. “Only ours gets broken up. Eildon Road relocated together in 2026. The Avenue moves together in 2027. Elwood moves in 2028. Clarendon and Lilian Cannam move into Coventry together, keeping their educators and their friendship groups. Our children are the only ones being dispersed individually.”
The parent also questioned the numbers behind the proposal, saying Coventry was licensed for 60 places while Clarendon needed 40.
“The arithmetic doesn’t work,” the parent said. “Twenty places sit spare while 34 children are moved out. Council’s own email to a parent says Clarendon plans to extend its enrolment capacity while it is there.”
The parent said council’s latest correspondence showed the issue was broader than Coventry.
“It is now two centres, not one,” they said. “North St Kilda Children’s Centre is also proposed to stop operating in 2027 and 2028. Council-run services are being closed so community-managed services can move in. That is a pattern, not a one-off.”
Families were also frustrated by the short consultation period and the timing of council’s survey.
“Families were told on 22 July for a decision on 19 August,” the parent said. “The survey asking what care we actually need arrives after councillors have voted.”
