Proposed temporary changes to early years services

Council is proposing temporary service changes in 2027 and 2028 so important building works can happen at early years facilities in Port Phillip. Some services may need to move to another site for a period of time, and some Council-operated services may need to temporarily pause while the works are carried out.

No. These are proposed changes. Council is expected to make a final decision at its meeting on 19 August. Families and services will be advised of the outcome on 20 August.

The changes are being proposed so Council can upgrade and improve early years facilities. The works are expected to improve buildings and support better services for families over the longer term. To complete the works safely and on time, some services need to temporarily relocate while construction works take place.

Council is also undertaking work to improve the utilisation of its childcare services and to ensure facilities are being used as effectively as possible to meet community needs. This proposal seeks to support both the redevelopment program and these broader service improvement objectives.

The proposed changes affect families and service users connected with Coventry Children’s Centre, North St Kilda Children’s Centre, Clarendon Children’s Centre and the Emerald Hill Toy Library. The impact will be different for each service.

Council has considered options that can support service continuity, limit disruption, reduce cost, and avoid delays to the building works program. For example, Coventry Children’s Centre is already licensed as a childcare facility and can accommodate a relocating service with minimal changes. Alternative options require significant capital works, additional approvals, higher costs associated with commercial rents and carry a greater risk of delaying projects that benefit the broader community.

Council understands that proposed temporary service changes will affect staff. If the changes are approved, Council will prioritise redeployment opportunities for Council staff, including existing vacancies and the establishment of a permanent relief bank. Staff will receive separate information and support through the appropriate internal processes.

Council is proposing that the current Council-operated service at Coventry Children’s Centre temporarily cease during 2027 and 2028 so the centre can be used by other early years services while their buildings are being upgraded. This would mean some Coventry families would need to move to another service during the temporary change. Clarendon Children’s Centre have indicated that subject to individual family circumstances, they expect to have capacity to accommodate some children who may wish to continue at the same location in 2027.

No. The proposed change is temporary and linked to the building works program. No decision has been made about the long-term future of any service beyond this program.

Council is proposing to temporarily withdraw Council-operated childcare services at North St Kilda Children’s Centre during 2027 and 2028. A partial service had previously been retained at North St Kilda while the site was used by Eildon Road Children’s Centre. The current service, however, is restricted to four-year-old kindergarten, with a very small number of children potentially transitioning into the service in 2027. Maintaining a partial service alongside incoming community-managed services in 2027 and 2028 is therefore not considered sustainable.

No. The proposed change is temporary and linked to the building works program. No decision has been made about the long-term future of any service beyond this program.

If Council approves the proposed changes, Council will work directly with affected families to help identify available places across Council and community-managed services. Council will make every effort to reduce disruption and support continuity of care where possible.

Council expects there will be enough childcare capacity across the municipality to support affected families. Availability of places and transition arrangements will depend on individual circumstances and will be worked through with families if the proposed changes are approved.

Council is expected to make a final decision on 19 August. Families and services will be advised of the decision on 20 August. If the changes are approved, Council and services will then work through transition arrangements with affected families and service users.

The proposals need to be considered by Council before final arrangements can be confirmed. Some details also need to be discussed with families, services and other parties once the proposals are public. There are no changes proposed to care arrangements in 2026. Council will provide more information as soon as it can.

Clarendon Children’s Centre is proposed to temporarily move to Coventry Children’s Centre in 2027 while the Clarendon facility is redeveloped. Clarendon Children’s Centre would continue to operate independently at the temporary site using its own staff and resources.

Clarendon Children’s Centre will manage enrolments for the temporary location. Families should contact Clarendon Children’s Centre for questions about their child’s enrolment and service arrangements for 2027.

Emerald Hill Toy Library will need to temporarily move during the redevelopment works at Clarendon Children’s Centre in 2027 because it is not safe to remain while construction work takes place in the rest of the site. Council is proposing to explore the use of space at Barring Djinang Kindergarten, co-located with South Melbourne Primary School, as a temporary option.

No. The proposed use of Barring Djinang Kindergarten is subject to School Council approval. More information will be provided to Toy Library users once the location and arrangements are confirmed.