ONE of regional Victoria\u2019s most expensive post codes is facing the prospect having no childcare service, Lorne\u2019s community house centre now down to one part-time educator restricted to looking after a maximum four children.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year the centre\u2019s administrators set a target of opening three days a week but have been unable to achieve the benchmark due to the pandemic and a shortage of educators.<\/p>\n
In early April Lorne Community House coordinator Katy Kennedy warned the centre was at risk of closing it doors because its two casual educators were over worked and burnt out due to the pandemic, now it\u2019s down to one after losing a casual to \u201cexhaustion\u201d.<\/p>\n
The result is between 20-30 families a week being told they have no access to childcare in town.<\/p>\n
The centre has unsuccessfully advertised for staff since January.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll take anyone, there just aren\u2019t the qualified staff around here,\u201d Ms Kennedy said.<\/p>\n
Winchelsea Community House remains in similarly precarious position, it\u2019s also unable to fill an outstanding staffing position and while it\u2019s been able to keep the doors open, it\u2019s backfilling with casual staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot a long term solution,\u201d Winchelsea Community House manager Wendy Greaves said.<\/p>\n
Anglesea is in a slightly better position, with two full-time educators the centre has kept its doors open five days a week, but has little back up for when staff fall sick and a growing waiting list for under three-year-olds.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou keep everything held together as best you can because there\u2019s no other option,\u201d Anglesea educator Bec Scoullar said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ONE of regional Victoria\u2019s most expensive post codes is facing the prospect having no childcare service, Lorne\u2019s community house centre now down to one part-time educator restricted to looking after a maximum four children. Earlier this year the centre\u2019s administrators set a target of opening three days a week but have been unable to achieve […]<\/p>\n