Dear fellow supporters,
It’s incredible to see over 5,000 people have signed this petition to call on the Australian National University (ANU) to save our four not-for-profit, community-led childcare centres on campus.
On 21 June 2024, parents of the childcare centres received a letter from ANU inviting the four centres to “negotiate directly and exclusively with us about ways they might operate the two new centres.” The ANU letter reads “Should we be unable to find agreement after these negotiations, we will need to move to a formal general procurement process from 22 July so that we can ensure childcare continues to operate on campus from the expiry of current licences.” However, we remain very concerned with the process, very short timeframe given and ANU’s lack of transparency since the announcement was made.
We’d love your help to continue to spread the word across your networks. We want to encourage more people to sign this petition to put pressure on ANU to keep these long-standing, beloved centres open. Parents at the University Preschool and Child Care Centre (UPCCC) have developed a 'Supporters Toolkit' to help past and current families to continue to share this important message across the community.
ANU community childcare took their fight to Parliament House
On 2 July 2024, affected children, educators and families were invited to Parliament House. David Pocock, Independent Senator for the ACT, held a press conference and made a statement in the Senate to address the widespread community concern relating to ANU’s decision. See notable media coverage below:
We’re so grateful for the unwavering support from ACT senators David Pocock, Katy Gallagher and Alicia Payne, along with ACT Early Childhood Development Minister Yvette Berry, who advocated on behalf of the impacted centres at the press conference (see linked support content):
The overwhelming support shows why community childcare really matters. It was an incredible day. We will continue working with these influential members of parliament while negotiations with ANU are ongoing.
Canberra event: Teddy Bears' Picnic - Tues 9 July 11am-12.30pm
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) ACT is hosting a free community BBQ and family friendly event in Canberra to show their support for the four impacted community-led childcare centres. Everyone is welcome! Please see the poster for details and NTEU’s invitation below:
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In response to a recent decision by ANU Senior Executive not to renew the licences to operate of four not-for-profit, community-led childcare centres on campus, the NTEU is hosting a Teddy Bears' Picnic at the nap-friendly time of 11am-12.30pm on Tuesday 9 July at the ANU Law Lawns.
Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage all members to share this email widely so that your colleagues who are yet to join can come as well. A big turnout will pour even more pressure on ANU Senior Executive to change course on a decision that is having far-reaching impacts on the ANU Community.
There will be a free BBQ lunch, music and banner painting for children as well as an opportunity to hear from - and show your support for - representatives of each of the four affected childcare centres.
Please note, this will be a family-friendly event. Parents with children in ANU childcare or who are looking after older children during the school holidays are encouraged to attend with their family.
In Solidarity
NTEU ACT
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Here are some ways you can stay in touch with Parents at UPCCC:
- Follow us on Instagram @UPCCCMatters
- Email Parents at UPCCC via parentsatupccc@gmail.com
Thank you for continuing to support this journey!