Like many parents, Kristie Henderson knows the distress that comes with leaving her children in care during working hours.
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So knowing that her son is happy and safe at after-school care gives her the reassurance she needs.
But the news two weeks ago that Annette’s Place will no longer be offering an after-school care program has left Kristie stressed and upset.
The childcare centre said a replacement program will be added at the PCYC, but that has Kristie concerned for not just her child’s routine, but security.
“It was totally unexpected, we found out via email,” she said.
“I just don’t feel the PCYC is as safe environment as St Mary’s and Annette’s Place can offer.
“I’m at a loss with Annette’s Place closing down the after-school service, it’s less choice for parents, the staff and facilities are fantastic.
“It makes it easy for me to go to work, I know they’re safe.”
While it is expected that an after -school program will be established at St Mary’s, it would not run during the school holidays.
Kristie acknowledged the positive work of the PCYC, but she didn’t think it was an appropriate place for childcare due to the number of programs run out of the centre, giving access to members of the public.
She said an after-school care program produced other security concerns not evident when the PCYC runs its holiday program, as most other programs do not run during holidays.
“The toilets will have to be shared, how can you supervise every single person who goes in there?” she said.
“You can screen the workers but you can’t screen the teenagers there.
“Annette’s Place is a secure, safe environment, only parents and carers are picking up or dropping off their children whereas PCYC there are other programs.”
She said her son loved going to Annette’s Place and was concerned about the disruption to his daily routine.
“He’s upset, he really likes the carers, he know exactly where he’s got to go, he’s got his friends and I know that he’s safe as well,” Kristie said.
Director of Annette’s Place Kathryn Simpson said the decision to cease the after-school care program was something that had been discussed for a long time.
She said a pre-school setting was not ideal for an after-school care program.
A meeting will be held on July 30 with PCYC coordinator Martin Langfield and hopefully St Mary’s principal Louise Grant.
“We didn’t want to do anything until we had somewhere else for the program to go,” Kathryn said.
“I can understand families’ concerns, that’s why we do want to hold the meeting.”
