By Rowan Forster
Five new childcare facilities have been earmarked for Cardinia, fuelling concerns the industry is becoming “saturated”.
Proponents behind the new centres are hoping to tackle the region’s rapid population growth, with the municipality in the midst of a baby bonanza.
However, approximately 32 facilities are already operating between Officer and Pakenham – prompting concerns about the viability of business operations.
According to figures released by Cardinia Shire this week, 1621 births were recorded during the 2017-2018 financial year.
The median age across the shire has subsequently dropped to 34, with those younger than 15 making up almost a quarter of the population.
A staggering seven families are also moving into Cardinia Shire’s catchment per day.
Three of the new centres have been proposed for Pakenham – at Worthington Boulevard, Harrison Way and on the Princes Highway – with one set for Brunt Road, Beaconsfield and another for Officer South Road, Officer.
Managing Director of One Early Education Group Richard Rice – the proponent behind Officer’s new centre – believes he has identified a gap in the market with the suburb’s exponential growth.
“I think there’s been a lot of growth in Officer and Cardinia Shire and I feel the community will welcome a high-quality education service,” he said.
“In a lot of pockets in Melbourne there’s an oversupply, but there’s certainly room in Officer for an early education centre.
Mr Rice said the Officer facility would serve as the company’s flagship centre, taking precedence over existing facilities in Cranbourne East and Wollert.
“We’re going to host music, arts, hold sessions in mindfulness, yoga and meditation and we’ll even have a restaurant with one of the top meal designers in the country,” he added.
“It’s really important what children eat because it affects their ability to learn, study and concentrate.”
Mother-of-three Belinda Denney, who used to work in the industry, suspects the current supply is outweighing demand.
Mrs Denney has not enrolled her kids in childcare, and she holds fears for the job security of her own mother – who works at a centre in Pakenham.
“She’s a bit overwhelmed with the amount that are popping up everywhere,” she said.
“Her centre’s been extremely quiet recently, mainly because parents have so many options now that they aren’t busy.
“It’s at the point where you have family job security at stake.”
It comes as the Turnbull Government made a shock $440 million cut to kindergarten, raising questions about the affordability of early education.
Lana Jacks, an Officer mother-of-one, said she welcomed being “spoilt for choice”.
“It’s such a pivotal time in their lives that you want to have a lot of options,” she said.
“There might be too many – but so long as they’re surviving it’s good for everybody.”
