Please sign this petition to request The Australian National University (ANU) change the course of action to close four community-based childcare centres. 

On 12 June 2024, ANU announced its plans to cease the license of four community-based not-for-profit childcare and preschool centres from January 2025. This decision was made without consulting the hundreds of families and staff impacted by the decision. The centres impacted include University Preschool and Childcare Centre (UPCCC), Heritage Early Childhood Centre, Cubby House on Campus and Acton Early Child Care. 

This devastating news mean these longstanding centres, run by committees of parent volunteers, will close after serving the Canberra and ANU community for more than 55 years. These centres have supported thousands of Canberra children and families to thrive and takes utmost pride in providing high quality education, care and a safe and nurturing environment for over half a century. 

ANU’s decision was announced alongside plans to commence a procurement process to invite commercial proposals to tender for two new purpose-built childcare centres. 

What this means:

• The tender process will disadvantage our beloved smaller, parent-led, not-for-profit centres when asked to compete against large commercialised providers.
• The jobs of 85 qualified and longstanding educators and staff, some who have served at these centers for over 50 years, will be lost if their services are ceased.
• Disruption to the continuity of care and learning for over 200 children and families who are given only 6 months to find alternate means of childcare. 

To ensure ANU’s course of action prioritises the continuity of care and service across the centres, this petition requests that ANU:

• extends the lease of the centres by a further six months (at minimum) beyond the current proposed centre closure in January 2025 to allow appropriate and meaningful community consultation to take place. 
• agrees to appoint only community-based, not-for-profit organisations through their tender process for childcare and preschool centres on ANU campus, and 
• agrees to prioritise the continuation of places for all current families. This includes existing children from the community as well as ANU.

We urge that ANU prioritise the continuity of high-quality care and learning that children are currently receiving across the four centres.   

Calling all Canberra parents and families who want to band together through this challenge, you can support this cause immediately by:

• signing this petition 
• sharing your personal experience in the 'Reasons for signing' comments section of this petition
• writing to your local parliamentary members, and 
• emailing parentsatupccc@gmail.com to stay in the loop with future updates and actions. 

Your heartfelt support is truly appreciated!