“A disservice to the community”: Independent Education Union calls for Chatswood KU Preschool to be saved

The Independent Education Union (IEU) of Australia has made an “urgent call” for Willoughby Council to save Chatswood KU community preschool.

The letter urges Willoughby Council to prioritise the relocation of the preschool by finding another suitable venue to lease. This comes after council’s decision to not renew the lease of the community preschool, instead handing it over to a for-profit daycare operator. 

In its letter, the IEU regards the decision as a “disservice to the community - particularly in light of current NSW parliamentary investigations regarding the safety and quality of care in corporate providers.”

The letter also voices concern about the staff who have been working at the preschool, many over long periods, who “now face the prospect of unemployment.”

While Chatswood has an abundance of daycares, vacancies for community preschools are scarce. The closure leaves only two community preschools in the Willoughby LGA.

KU Chatswood’s lease expires on December 19. The new tenants will operate a private long daycare, and have said that fees for existing families will not rise until the end of 2026.

What is a community preschool?

According to the IEU, what separates community preschools from private long day care providers is their non-profit model, the fact that they are managed by volunteer parent management committees, and the low fees made available by state funding. 

Willoughby City Council were contacted but declined to comment.

Thumbnail: KU Chatswood, IEU NSW/ACT