Confession
For those of you who don’t know our background on this issue, we must mention that we have indeed been working very hard over the last two years to open a progressive, holistic childcare centre in South Fremantle.
That’s another story, which will make it up onto this BLOG in the fullness of time. Still putting the archives together… Suffice to say, trying to open a child care centre in a residential/mixed use area is much harder than in an industrial one.
Do you wonder why?
Unless, perhaps, you happen to have Graham Burkett on your payroll.
One of the local journo’s suggested our stand on the toxic child care issue was motivated by competition. Here’s our response to that.
Yes - we confess. One day we do aim to help establish a centre of excellence in early learning in the wider Fremantle area - or possibly further afield.
Will it be in competition with the one proposed at the intersection of Hampton /Douro Roads? Definitely not.
Beyond the essential requirements of child care licensing, we obviously have different ideas about what constitutes a high quality child care environment and indeed, on closer examination - vastly different educational, spiritual and community development frameworks.
Wherever and whenever our centre emerges, it will be far removed from the type of centre we have opposed in this industrial area. It will be in a healthy, safe environment where possibly our own children, our community’s and our friend’s children will flourish peacefully within the kind of harmonious, quiet, beautiful space they deserve.
That’s what we believe in. That’s what we’re working towards, along with the City of Fremantle, WA State Government and other key stakeholders - who are now also thinking progressively and strategically about these vital social capital, economic and health issues.
In in reality, the “toxic child care” proposal in Fremantle - albiet 86 places and well outside of minimum standards let alone best practice - is really just one centre. There are more systemic issues at stake. Let’s focus on them.
For the cynics, it might be worth looking at my application for a position on the WA Child Care Advisory Committee (see other post re: this) and remembering that sincerity can still exist in this day and age - and is not mutually exclusive of critical thinking. My professional and personal journey has led to a very conscious decision to promote the advancement of high quality child care and yes, I confess, I am truly passionate and single minded about this.
Consider the implications of not being vigilant and aware. Total corporatisation of child hood with Burkett style deals being done to open and run child care centres wherever and however it is most cost effective. That’s our current trajectory. Yes, these are indeed dark days for ‘progressives’. Anyone that has seen “The Corporation” or “Super Size Me” for example, will know just what I mean.
It is crucial that the diverse needs of the community are catered for through a variety of child care models. It’s not just about demographics and basic planning models and in many ways, market forces can deliver diversity.
In the absence of better Government funding for community services, the work of the church is to be commended. We will continue to offer our support to Christian City Church Fremantle to help them find a safe, healthy location for their proposed Centre.
It is also essential that corporate conglomerates like the recently merged ABC/Peppercorn Childcare behemoth (a Land Alliance client) do not get to take over childhood entirely. We would never allow 20% or more schools to be listed on the stock market - so why are we allowing children from 0-6 years to be auctioned to the highest bidder? Read about this vital issue here at Rattler magazine - the Australian child care sector’s leading journal.
We need business, community and government to work together for the best outcomes. We need legislation to control how and where child care is located.
Most of all, we need to debate and examine child care issues fully on a local, national and international basis.
Yes I confess, I do want parents and children in Western Australia to have access to the best child care and education the world has to offer. Infact I demand it - and, if you listened to the hopeful, sincere voice inside you - so would you.
I’m prepared to keep doing what I can to help achieve this, in whatever ways I can.
I hope you will too.