Parents are fighting to keep Communities at Work’s Richardson childcare centre open. Photo: Supplied.
Parents have been left scrambling to find alternative care for their children after Communities at Work announced it would close its Richardson Childcare and Education Centre on 27 February.
They’re questioning why it took so long to notify families of the decision to close, and whether the reasons given are legitimate.
Parent Melissa Wallace has been steadily sending her four children to the centre since 2014, describing the care and support there as “exceptional”.
“It is deeply disappointing to see how Communities at Work has handled this process,” she said.
“The lack of consultation and communication has left families and staff feeling unheard and unsupported. The absence of empathy, respect and care shown toward the well-being of staff throughout this process has been hard to witness.”
Ms Wallace said staff had been asking families for their 2026 booking preferences in September and October of 2025, and she had organised for the centre to provide before and after-school care on preschool days.
But the Communities at Work board had been discussing the possibility of shutting the centre in October, and voted on the final decision in late November.
Parents were told of the decision on 18 December.
“There was no indication to me that the centre would close,” Ms Wallace said.
In communications sent out on 18 December, reasons given for the closure included declining enrolment numbers over recent years, increasing financial and operational challenges in maintaining the facility, and service-level expectations of Communities at Work.
“While the Richardson Child Care and Education Centre will close, we will continue to operate our other centres and explore new opportunities to meet the changing needs of families in the region,” the statement outlined.
When further questioned by Region, CEO Lesley Jordan said the centre had a “persistent operating deficit” and hadn’t been able to break even “despite significant efforts”.
“The local demographics of the area, including the reduced utilisation of the Richardson shops, evidenced by a decline of businesses in the area, may have impacted utilisation and demand for the service; however, the main driver is the overall reduction in young children in the area, reducing current and future demand,” she said.
“Communities at Work determined that closure of Richardson ECEC was necessary to maintain organisational sustainability and continue delivering high quality education and care across its other centres.”
She said the centre’s peppercorn lease was also due to expire.
The closure will directly impact 40 families and 49 children. Ms Jordan said they would be given priority placement at other Communities at Work centres where possible, and that staff would be offered redeployment opportunities.
“[We] want to reassure the community, families and staff that this decision was not taken lightly,” she said.
“We remain committed to delivering high quality education and care across the Tuggeranong Valley and the broader Canberra region.”
However, one concerned community member with knowledge of the centre, whom Region has agreed to keep anonymous, pointed out that Little Smiles Early Childhood Centre had recently opened right next door, and there was also the Little Blossoms Family Daycare in Richardson.
“I’m amazed anyone would turn around and say there’s not a demand,” they said.
“To me, it’s really strange, and I don’t believe the reasons are valid … there’s something else afoot.”
Ms Wallace was also confused about whether enrolments had declined.
“I’ve heard that the new LillyPilly childcare centre opening in Monash has a waitlist with around 300 children – my child is on this waitlist due to the closure,” she said.
“There is certainly a need for high-quality childcare in our area.”
Another reason given was that the peppercorn lease was due to expire.
An ACT Government spokesperson said this wasn’t terminated on their end.
“The provider operates the centre under a current ACT Government peppercorn licence,” the spokesperson said.
“This licence was not terminated by the government. The licence was in holdover, with a letter of comfort provided by the minister responsible to Communities at Work that the licence would be continued on a peppercorn arrangement.”
Under peppercorn arrangements, tenants are responsible for the first $500 of repairs and utilities costs, while the ACT Government, as landlord, is responsible for all repairs over $500 and maintenance.
The spokesperson said it was not proposed that the Richardson childcare centre site be redeveloped.
“Given the intention of the current tenant to vacate the site, the government is working on options for the future of the site, which will include exploring opportunities for another not‑for‑profit approved provider to lease and operate the space in the future,” they said.
For now, Ms Wallace has launched a Change.org petition calling on the centre to stay open.
She’s also in discussion with various MLAs as to whether she’ll submit an official petition to the Legislative Assembly.
“This centre … has provided consistently high quality care over the 11 to 12 years that we’ve attended,” Ms Wallace said.
“It is so unfortunate that this is being taken away from our community, especially given the recent horrible stories about the childcare industry.”
