Save Merrilands Early Learning daycare
The issue
For over 40 years, Merrilands Early Learning has been a cornerstone for families in North-West Reservoir, providing nurturing care and quality education to our little ones. This beloved community daycare is a second home for our families, shaped by the dedication and love of its remarkable staff. Many of these staff members have devoted decades to our children, creating an environment rich in support, learning, nourishment and genuine care.
However, our community is now facing a significant loss. Apparently, due to the increase in new for-profit childcare centres in the area, Merrilands has been forced to close the doors of its daycare at the end of the year. This closure threatens not only the livelihoods of the qualified and experienced staff who will be left jobless, but also the stability and security of working families who rely on this invaluable service for their daily working lives and well-being.
Merrilands will continue to operate its sessional 3 & 4 yr old kinder program only, two days a week from 8:30am - 4pm, without the scaffolding of long daycare, leaving all the babies, toddlers, children and kinder kids who require more contact hours left without care.
The closure of Merrilands has disrupted many families, leaving them in a desperate scramble for alternate, privately-owned childcare arrangements at short notice, many of which come at a higher cost and without the familiar comfort and warmth that a small community childcare like Merrilands can offer. Fourth-year kinder children will also be left with a gap in care arrangements in early 2027 before school starts. This all contributes to a large mental and financial load on the Merrilands families.
Furthermore, separating the very special connections that our babies and children have made to their friends, educators, and community is incredibly heartbreaking.
Please sign this petition in unity with the Merrilands community and its educators, in a bid to keep Merrilands daycare operating for generations to come, and in solidarity with the not-for profit daycare sector, which is at risk of dissolving.
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The issue
For over 40 years, Merrilands Early Learning has been a cornerstone for families in North-West Reservoir, providing nurturing care and quality education to our little ones. This beloved community daycare is a second home for our families, shaped by the dedication and love of its remarkable staff. Many of these staff members have devoted decades to our children, creating an environment rich in support, learning, nourishment and genuine care.
However, our community is now facing a significant loss. Apparently, due to the increase in new for-profit childcare centres in the area, Merrilands has been forced to close the doors of its daycare at the end of the year. This closure threatens not only the livelihoods of the qualified and experienced staff who will be left jobless, but also the stability and security of working families who rely on this invaluable service for their daily working lives and well-being.
Merrilands will continue to operate its sessional 3 & 4 yr old kinder program only, two days a week from 8:30am - 4pm, without the scaffolding of long daycare, leaving all the babies, toddlers, children and kinder kids who require more contact hours left without care.
The closure of Merrilands has disrupted many families, leaving them in a desperate scramble for alternate, privately-owned childcare arrangements at short notice, many of which come at a higher cost and without the familiar comfort and warmth that a small community childcare like Merrilands can offer. Fourth-year kinder children will also be left with a gap in care arrangements in early 2027 before school starts. This all contributes to a large mental and financial load on the Merrilands families.
Furthermore, separating the very special connections that our babies and children have made to their friends, educators, and community is incredibly heartbreaking.
Please sign this petition in unity with the Merrilands community and its educators, in a bid to keep Merrilands daycare operating for generations to come, and in solidarity with the not-for profit daycare sector, which is at risk of dissolving.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 12 September 2026