Council calls for Expressions of Interest to manage Valley Children’s Centre

Derwent Valley Council has called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to become the provider of services for Valley Childen’s Centre from 1 July 2020.

The EOI calls for experienced not for profit child care providers to operate the child care service independently of Council from the existing site. The EOI is available through Tenderlink, accessible via Council’s website.

Council acknowledges the importance of having a child care service in the Derwent Valley and has designed the EOI for that to continue.

Council remains committed to existing staff and to providing local jobs. The EOI requires the new provider to offer employment to all permanent staff and requires services to be offered from the existing site for the next 10 years.

Council was required to make speedy arrangements after being informed that the current operator, Uniting Care would not be renewing their contract to manage the service after 30 June 2020.

Council previously had difficulty recruiting to Centre Manager roles which prompted bringing Uniting in to manage the service in 2015.

Council believes that contracting with an established provider will enable high quality child care services to be delivered to the Derwent Valley Community and will enhance the service provided to existing parents and their children.

Council has informed the Department of Education and will be engaging with them throughout the process.

Uniting Care will work with Council to ensure a smooth transition to a new provider.

ENDS