Research shows that community owned children's services are delivering some of the highest quality education and care in Australia. These services sit at the heart of our local areas and contribute greatly to creating strong, connected and active local communities.

Yet the City of Port Phillip intends to sell three community-run, not-for-profit kindergarten and early childhood services - forcing the closure of Eildon Road Childcare and Kindergarten​, Elwood Children's Centre and The Avenue Children's Centre and Kindergarten. 

This will result in a loss of more than 120 kindergarten and childcare places. 

The City of Port Phillip claims the buildings that these three centres operate from do not meet modern building and accessibility standards for childcare centres, and that it's too expensive and difficult to bring them up to standard. 

We have a different view because the evidence is clear - the more we invest in early childhood education, the better start in life our local kids will get. 

Together, these community owned and operated centres educate and care for more than 200 children each year. They foster children’s development, support their families and build the community. They are not properties to make a profit from. 

During the last decade Council has taken millions of dollars from the three not-for-profit centres for building maintenance and capital works. Requests for upgrades have been ignored and the properties' decline is because of neglect by Council. 

The Council's proposal to sell these properties is a cost-cutting exercise at the expense of our children. It also cuts at the heart of what makes our local communities so connected and inclusive.

Help save community-run kindergarten and childcare in the City of Port Phillip. Object to Council selling the centres. Please sign this petition today and follow the Facebook page for updates. 

Following concerns by the affected centres, local state and federal MPs, and the local community, Council initiated a consultation process in late December 2021. Submissions close 28 February 2022. We strongly encourage you to have your say. After submissions and feedback have been considered, a report on the proposed sales will be considered in the Council Chamber in 2022.

Thank you for your support. 

From the staff, Committee of Managements and parents from Eildon Road, Elwood Children's Centre and The Avenue.