Please support us to keep Coventry Children’s Centre open and operating. 

Please sign our petition before the CoPP council meeting on the 19th August 2026

Port Phillip Council is proposing to cease the current council-operated service at Coventry Children’s Centre so the centre can be used by other early years services while their buildings are being upgraded during 2027 and 2028.

The proposal put forward by the Early Learning Projects, a division of City of Port Phillip, involves shutting down our wonderful centre at the end of the year, displacing the children currently enrolled here and disrupting the permanent employment of the administration staff and carers. All to “temporarily” host another 2 childcare centres for 2 years whilst their facilities are being upgraded.

Coventry is a small centre by design – with a maximum of 60 children, educators know every child and every family, it is truly a welcoming and generous community. Located next to the South Melbourne Market, it has been serving our community for 26 years offering long day care and kindergarten.

We are concerned with the lack of transparency, consultation and time:

Lack of Transparency

Key aspects of the proposal remain unclear and there has been no explanation to the families affected how this proposal was seen to be the most suitable. No other options presented and no data presented to demonstrate this decision.  

The future of the centre after the 2 years has not been disclosed – will the land be sold/developed and in doing so remove a much-needed community resource?  

Lack of Consultation

There are many questions left unanswered, is it necessary that a well-established and highly respected centre close to temporarily accommodate children from two other Council-operated centres during their upgrades? Could it be more practical to distribute those families across other services while the works are completed?

Lack of Time

Our community – families, staff and carers - was notified on the 22nd July, the council is to vote on a decision on the 19th August, with changes coming into place in January 2027.  

This has given us only 4 weeks to provide feedback and demonstrate to the voting councillors what a valuable asset Coventry Children’s Centre is and only 4 months to secure new places at other centres for our children.

The lack of consultation and lack of time to enable parents to seek alternative care arrangements in this childcare climate is unrealistic.

Put our children first

We are deeply concerned about the permanent displacement of the children currently enrolled there, who feel safe, welcome and happy at this centre with a team of phenomenal carers.

This proposal places insufficient weight on the social and emotional wellbeing of our children. They need structure, safety and care, and we are concerned that this proposal does not put them first.

Coventry Children’s Centre is a home away from home, a safe place, a genuine village. It is a dearly loved valuable community asset that can continue to support generations of children in our community.

Please support our petition to keep Coventry Children’s Centre open and operating.

Details of the proposal can be read here: https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/proposed-temporary-changes-to-early-years-services

Feedback on the proposal can be sent here: earlylearningprojects@portphillip.vic.gov.au

(Image from k2O Architects)