Background: 

Woollahra Council is considering changing Woollahra Preschool to a Long Day Care, and moving to a full cost recovery model. 

As part of this process, Council has referenced a parent survey that asked about interest in longer hours of care. 

However, that survey was flawed: it was biased and potentially misleading. It was distributed primarily to waitlist families rather than current families, and did not address the potential shift to a long day care model.

This petition aims to ensure that decisions are based on complete, representative and balanced community feedback, including the perspectives of all interested parties, such as future and current families, local community members, and other stakeholders.

Our Position

We, the undersigned, value Woollahra Preschool as a high-quality, community-based Preschool and are concerned about proposals that will fundamentally change its model, accessibility and particularly its quality.

Key Concerns

We are concerned about:

• A change from a dedicated Preschool to a Long Day Care, albeit one with a 'preschool programme'.
• Removal of the only Govt Preschool in the Woollahra area.
• Significant fee increases that may reduce accessibility for local families
• Risks to educational quality, educator continuity and specialised programs
• Decisions being informed by incomplete or non-representative survey data
• Lack of clear evidence, transparency and meaningful consultation
   

We call on Woollahra Council to:

• Pause any major changes until complete and representative community consultation is undertaken
• Provide full transparency on survey methodology and decision-making evidence
• Protect the existing preschool model, ensuring it remains distinct from long day care
• Explore alternative solutions already identified, including before/after care and consider new preschools attached to local schools.

If you have any questions about the petition or would like more information, please contact us at WPS.parents.action.group@gmail.com