By REBECCA BILLS
Childcare disruption leaves families unsure about the future…
CHANGES are to be expected.
That’s the word from UYCH CEO Sally Brennan in relation to the takeover of Morrisons.
Last week a number of parents contacted the Mail, claiming they felt unsettled and deceived by those handling the childcare services formally managed by Morrisons.
A parent’s forum was held on Thursday for parents of children at the centre and UYCH management to discuss the recent changes.
But parents Trish Healey and Bruce Campbell said they continue to hold concerns and have withdrawn their children from the community facility after a lack of communication.
“We feel that the forum should have been held when the changeover first occurred,” Ms Healey said.
“There behaviour to me seems quite odd, with an agenda maybe,” Mr Campbell said.
“There has been an ongoing lack of communication.”
Ms Brennan said she understood the concerns but that it was difficult when dealing with receivers and the former board at Morrisons.
She said the ongoing and complicated process meant it was difficult to communicate effectively with parents in a timely manner.
“I think following the parent forum on Thursday night there is a much better communication channel between the centre and the parents,” she said.
“I think we have a positive future as this is a vital service and parents do need to be involved – as a community based centre that is very important.”
Ms Healey said she felt deceived by UYCH when she found out former Child Care Services Director at Morrisons Robyn Worthington was dismissed last Tuesday and upset by other staff leaving the organisation.
Ms Brennan said two former Morrisons staff had resigned since the takeover and Ms Worthington’s contract was not renewed.
“Robyn’s contract with Morrisons ended on Tuesday 29 April and UYCH did not offer her a new contract,” she said.
Ms Brennan said she understood that Mount Evelyn had been heavily impacted by the closure of Morrisons and that there was lot of grief and anger still harboured.
“Our focus is now to build a positive service that families and children love,” she said.
Ms Healey said despite reassurance from UYCH, she and Mr Campbell still didn’t feel confident.
“Certainly it was great to see the parent forum and I hope for the Mount Evelyn community that the centre is able to regain its former magic,” she said.
