Child care centre struggles | Ipswich News | Local News in Ipswich

TUCKED away in a quiet street in a suburb that seems to be losing its young families, the community-run Cribb Street Child Care Centre is desperate for enrolments.

In a major turnaround from five years ago, when this Sadliers Crossing centre and other Ipswich child care facilities were bursting at the seams, Cribb Street now reports an enrolment of just over 50 per cent.

Director Kylie Edwards said the centre was very busy when she started work there in 2004.

“We’ve had parents who’ve had to move to Brisbane to work,” she said.

“There’s a lot of the older generation around this area.”

The not-for-profit centre is run by a parents’ committee.

Its president Leonie Wilkins has left the care of both her children to Cribb Street centre.

“It’s the atmosphere, it’s very homely. I really like the feel of it,” she said.

“The cost is comparable with other centres.”

Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland chief executive officer Barrie Elvish said community not-for-profit child care services were generally the preferred choice of informed parents, so the downturn at Cribb Street Child Care was unusual.

“As always there is over-supply in some areas and under-supply in others,” he said.

Cribb Street Child Care, a centre set up 32 years ago, takes in children aged from six weeks to five years.

Call 3281 9992 with inquiries.