A Werribee-based childcare centre which has operated for nearly 40 years is set to close because of Baillieu Government cuts to occasional care, Shadow Minister for Children and Young Adults Jenny Mikakos said today.

Ms Mikakos said the Cottage had no option but to close its doors in December 2012, despite Children’s Minister Wendy Lovell promising to reinstate funding to Take-a-Break after the Federal Government provided more funding earlier this year.

“The Cottage has provided early childhood care for several generations, but it is set to be the latest victim of Mr Baillieu’s Take-a-Break cuts,” Ms Mikakos said.

“For over 25 years, the centre provided flexible affordable occasional childcare with the help from previous state governments, but under Mr Baillieu this support has dried up.

“One year ago Minister Lovell said if the Federal Government invested in more occasional childcare places in Victoria, the Baillieu Government would do the same.

“Despite Federal Minister Kate Ellis doing exactly that, Ms Lovell simply hasn’t kept her part of the deal. 

“Without this support the Cottage, like many other occasional childcare providers across the state, cannot stay afloat.”

Member for Tarneit Tim Pallas said the closure of the centre will affect dozens of families.

“When the Cottage closes at the end of the year, more that 60 families will have to find alternative arrangements, which will consequently place more pressure on other childcare providers in the area,” said Mr Pallas.

“Some families will have to put their child in more costly fulltime childcare or make major changes to their work arrangements”.

“This is a terrible outcome for these families – all because Ms Lovell has reneged on her part of the agreement.”