Bondi Beach Cottage service set to remain
Renewed optimism surrounds the under threat child care service at Bondi Beach Cottage. Discussions with Waverley Council have ensured action will take place, ensuring the service will continue to operate in a community suffering from child care congestion.
Labor Councillor Ingrid Strewe said the Cottage will have to raise the rates from $90 a day to $110 to prevent closure. They have also asked Council to reduce rental costs, with the concession rate of $60 a day to remain unchanged.
“The Bondi Beach Cottage has helped people in need, so I’m glad that the concession rate has stayed the same,” Ms Strewe said. “Bondi Beach Cottage was set up to help people who were having problems within the family like domestic violence.
“It was set up like a drop-in centre so you can call in and have the child looked after for a little while, if you didn’t have any other assistance.”
Liberal Councillor and Mayoral candidate, Sally Betts said the Cottage should look into changing its business model to make itself financially sustainable.
“It is not a full-time child care centre, that’s the problem,” she said. “So they may need to look at that in the future to change their [business] model.”
Bondi Beach Cottage operates an occasional child care service. Unlike long term child care centres, parents are only charged for the days they bring their child to the centre. Ms Betts said the Cottage should review this model to secure a more reliable income.
“Nobody wants to see the Bondi Cottage close,” she said. “But it has got to be financially sustainable.”
“It’s the model of being an occasional child care centre that makes it very difficult for them to know exactly how many children are going to be there all the time.”
Bondi Beach Cottage is a child care centre run independently, renting its current location from Council. With 17 out of the 19 child care centre in the area said to be full, Ms Strewe said Labor will look into where child care service is required to serve community needs.
