Staff, families and children at Coventry Children’s Centre are set to become collateral damage in Council’s $34.5 million early years infrastructure overhaul.
The Council wants to clear out the Coventry site to make way for children decanted from two community-managed centres while their facilities are redeveloped.
The centres earmarked for redevelopment are Clarendon Children’s Centre in 2027 and Lilian Cannam Kindergarten in 2028.
The news detonated in the Coventry community when an unexpected email landed with staff and parents on 22 July: “Council is considering a proposal to allow Coventry Children’s Centre in South Melbourne to be used as a temporary home for two community-managed services while their facilities are redeveloped. Under this proposal, Council services at Coventry Children’s Centre would not operate from this site in 2027 and 2028. If approved, approximately 34 children would need to transition to alternative services from the start of the 2027 calendar year.”
Kaboom: Coventry becomes the casualty
For families, the email turned a distant infrastructure reshuffle into an immediate childcare problem.
With only weeks before Council is expected to make its official decision on 19 August, families have set up a petition to show their concern and opposition saying Council’s proposal gives them too little time, too little information and too little certainty.
‘Coventry is far more than just childcare. It is a vital part of our community and support network,’ a distressed Coventry parent told TWiSK.
‘Many local families are deeply concerned about the process, which has proceeded with little to no meaningful consultation or engagement with the families who rely on the centre, or with the centre itself,’ she said.
Parents say the proposal would displace Coventry children, disrupt staff and carers, and leave families scrambling for childcare with only months to spare.
The centre, located beside South Melbourne Market, is currently a 60-place childcare and integrated kindergarten service that Council describes as “small by design”, with educators who know every child and family. It has been rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard for more than a decade.
Families say that leaves them only four weeks to understand what is being proposed, ask questions and make their concerns heard.
Parents remain unconvinced, saying they have not been shown why closing Coventry is the best option, whether other relocation arrangements were properly considered, or what will happen to the centre after the proposed two-year arrangement.
“This proposal does not put Coventry children first,” say the petitioners. “It undervalues their social and emotional wellbeing, and puts a much-loved community asset at risk.”
Pawns in the politics of childcare
Council says no decisions have been made about the long-term future of any services beyond the redevelopment period, and any future decisions would require separate consideration.
TWiSK understands Council is preparing to sign off on a building contractor for Clarendon Street on 19 August, with architectural renders of the proposal already published on the Council website.
The rushed plan to move Coventry kids aside for the Clarendon kids is unlikely to reassure families already nervous about council early learning.
