The Tasmanian Government is delivering additional childcare places at Scottsdale to help meet growing demand from local families.
Through the expansion of the existing Thrive-operated childcare service and the relocation of Thrive’s Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service, an additional 20 long day care places will become available for families.
Thrive’s OSHC service will be relocated to alternative space at the school and will also enable the creation of up to 10 additional OSHC places, increasing access for local families.
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the expansion of the childcare facility builds on the new Dorset Child and Family Learning Centre (CFLC), which is being designed and will go to tender later this year.
“When you’re a parent trying to get back to work, study, run a business or simply manage family life, not being able to access childcare affects everything,” Minister Palmer said.
“We have worked closely with the community to deliver on our commitment for a new CFLC at Scottsdale and additional childcare.”
A survey provided to the Local Enabling Group (LEG) and shared with the wider community, provided two options for consideration, one with childcare at the CFLC and the other with providing additional childcare through the expansion of the existing service at Scottsdale, noting the expansion of the existing service would provide more places.
“Our Government made it clear that we would deliver the option with the most community support. The results were overwhelmingly in favour of expanding the existing service, with 75 per cent of respondents choosing this option,” Minister Palmer said.
“I’ve spoken with mums who have spent years on waiting lists, families who have had to turn down work opportunities, and parents exhausted trying to make it all work.
“Those conversations are exactly why worked with the community to deliver the best outcome for Dorset families.
“Families told us they preferred expanding the current childcare centre, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to have their say.
“The relocation of the OSHC service is expected to begin in Term 3 this year and an architect is also expected to be engaged in the second half of the year to progress plans for the expansion of the existing childcare facility.
“As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania, we are delivering the childcare services Tasmanians need.”
