The shock decision was recently announced, with a letter emailed to parents across all four local Goodstarts of “the difficult decision we have made not to renew our lease at Goodstart Early Learning resulting in the closure of the centre” from February 2.

Goodstart Tamworth area manager Renae Irwin said that the decision was made due to operational requirements, although would not be drawn on what those requirements were.

“The decision was made after a review of population demographics in the area and other operational considerations,” she said.

“Children and staff will transition to other Goodstart centres in the area.”

The centre currently caters for 55 families, with “40 to 45” of those families relocated across the other three centres – Brisbane st, Goonoo Goonoo Rd and Calala – while the remaining families are school leavers who will not require daycare next year.

All 11 educators and staff have also been relocated across the three centres, according to management.

“We have been able to place all our families so that no child has been left out of daycare,” Ms Irwin said.

“The organisation’s priority was ensuring children, families and staff were supported as they moved to neighbouring Goodstart centres.

“We have tried to make those transitions smooth, with familiar educators transitioning with the children to each centre.” 

While Ms Irwin could not confirm how many of the relocated children will be placed at each centre, the Hercules St centre catered for 36 children a day, meaning there will be an average increase of 12 children per day across the other three centres.

Despite daycare and early learning centre placements being in short supply in the Tamworth region, Goodstart are not considering opening another centre in the Tamworth region.

“Not at this stage – not in the immediate future anyway,” Ms Irwin said.

“We will continue to provide quality early learning and care for children and families as well as ongoing employment opportunities for our staff during this transition time.”

Just one month ago Sydney investor group Rigate Holdings Pty Ltd lodged an application with Council to open a new $1 million daycare centre on the corner of White and Carthage st.

The proposed Ekidna Childcare Centre would operate between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday, and cater for 85 children from birth to six years old, while employing 25 staff.