Parents relying on childcare at Cowra’s Goodstart Early Learning Centre have had to make other arrangements after the centre made the decision to close some of its rooms due to flood damage.
The damage was caused after heavy rain fell in Cowra last week.
In a letter to parents Goodstart announced it had to “partially” close the Cowra centre “due to the impacts of flooding from recent storms”.
“Unfortunately, the damage is more extensive than we first thought, and the main building will need to remain closed for an extended period of time,” centre director Michele McGuiness said in a letter to parents.
Parents have since been told space is available at centres in Eugowra and Blayney.
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“After a few discussion (sic) with Department of Education over the week who are working with us to find care for children across the region we have only found two centres with availabilities,” Ms Guiness told parents in a message.
Parents were told Eugowra Community Children’s Centre has two to three places for children aged three to five from January and there are “some vacancies” at Blayney Early Learners in its three to five year olds room.
“I am still in discussions with another local service and hope to have more details early next week,” Ms McGuiness told parents last week.
“This is not a simple process as it goes through our regulatory bodies, and Department of Education etc.
“As more details come in I will pass on immediately,” she said.
Parents were also told “due to the nature of the damage, it will require at least two weeks for the drying out process to be completed before restorative works can begin.
“This means the closure will go into the New Year which we know is not ideal and anticipate this will take 4-6 weeks. It is also a difficult time of year to engage contractors.”
The Cowra Guardian has asked Goodstart for more details, in particular how many families have been impacted, without reply.
