Parents, staff told of plans to close council creche

The pools are about to get a $10.6m upgrade. Photo / Google Earth

A council-owned and operated creche could close its doors for good.

The six staff at the Hamilton City Council facility were last night told of plans to permanently shut the doors of Waterworld Educare. Parents are to be told of the proposal today.

The Te Rapa creche is due to close for a $10.6m refurbishment at the ageing pools, estimated to take seven months, and management is proposing not reopening the daycare when the rest of the complex reopens.

Work is due to begin in February. Parents and staff have been asked to provide feedback on the proposal and a decision is due before Christmas.

Council community services manager Debbie Lascelles said the creche could not stay open while construction was going on because of work and safety considerations.

"We have proposed closing the facility permanently, given that the 30 children who currently use the creche would be unable to attend for 29 weeks, and their families would likely find alternative childcare during this period," Lascelles said.

will have to find alternative arrangements. The centre is licensed for 30 children, including 12 under the age of 2, and has roll of 36 children. It employs six.

The latest report by the Education Review Office published in June this year, found Waterworld Educare needed more development to comply with Education Ministry standardsthe environment, health and safety, governance, management and appraisal.

The indoor and outdoor area needed an upgrade to better support child development including more variety and quality of outdoors equipment, the report said.

The centre also needed to ensure that the premises, facilities and other equipment were kept in good repair, maintained regularly, used safely and kept free from hazards.

Next year's refurbishment, unanimously approved in September, includes upgrading pipes for indoor pools, new filtration for the 25m and 50m pools, replacing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, a new concourse floor around indoor pools, upgrading the ceiling and fire design.

The improvements will cost $5.7m and $5.1m will be spent on earthquake strengthening later.