On 18 December 2025, Communities at Work informed families of the planned closure of Richardson Child Care and Education Centre in February 2026. This decision was made without consultation with the staff and families most affected, leaving only two months for families to find alternative care arrangements.

Communities at Work has cited the following reasons for the closure:

• Declining enrolments
• Financial sustainability challenges
• Workforce and compliance pressures
• Expiry of the lease on the premises
   

While these challenges are real, closing the centre is not the only solution. For over 40 years, Richardson Child Care has been a cornerstone of the community—providing high-quality early learning and education, as well as a safe, nurturing environment where children thrive. Many of the educators have dedicated decades of service to this centre.

My own family has had four children attend Richardson Child Care since 2014. We never considered another centre because the care and support provided here have been exceptional. These educators are part of our village, helping raise our children during their most formative years. While 2026 marks our final year at the centre, I feel compelled to fight for its survival and for the staff who have been such an integral part of our lives and our community.

It is deeply disappointing to see how Communities at Work has handled this process. The lack of consultation and communication has left families and staff feeling unheard and unsupported. The absence of empathy, respect, and care shown toward the wellbeing of staff throughout this process has been hard to witness.

We urge Communities at Work to reconsider this decision and work with government, families and staff, and the broader community to explore alternative solutions, such as:

• Enrolment Drive: Launch a targeted campaign to attract new families, highlighting the centre’s long-standing reputation and quality care.
• Community Fundraising: Engage the local community to help address financial challenges through fundraising initiatives and sponsorships.
• Lease Negotiation: Work with the property owner to explore options for renewing or extending the lease or identify alternative premises within Richardson.
• Staff Support and Compliance: Collaborate with educators and regulatory bodies to address compliance requirements and workforce pressures through training and resource allocation. 

These solutions require collaboration, not closure. With community support and creative problem-solving, Richardson Child Care can continue to serve families for years to come.

Please support Richardson Child Care and Education Centre by:

• Signing this petition
• Sharing your experience of the centre in the comments section
• Contacting Communities at Work directly at admin@commsatwork.org  

Together, we can show how much this centre means to our children, families, and community.