More than one hundred Newcastle families have been thrown into chaos after receiving just one month's notice that their beloved childcare centre will close permanently before Christmas.
The Darby Street Early Learning Centre delivered the devastating news via email on Wednesday, informing parents that its final day of operation would be December 19, 2025, leaving families scrambling to find alternative care during the already challenging holiday period.
Parents thrown into childcare scramble
Catherine Sumner, a mother with two daughters attending the centre, described the situation as every parent's nightmare. 'It's the worst time of the year to find alternative arrangements,' she told the Newcastle Herald. 'Every other childcare has already locked in their spots for next year.'
Ms Sumner expressed concern not only for the displaced families but also for the centre's staff, who now face job hunting during the Christmas shutdown. 'It's also the worst time of the year to get a new job for the staff,' she said, highlighting the strong community spirit that characterised the centre.
The timing has created enormous pressure on parents, with Ms Sumner noting they're being forced to make rushed decisions without proper assessment of alternative facilities. 'There's no time to do walk-throughs, there's no time to assess if it's the right space for your child,' she explained.
Second closure threat in two years
This marks the second time in as many years that the Darby Street facility has faced closure. In 2024, when it was operated by Newcastle Anglican, the centre was saved after a determined community campaign led by more than 50 parents resulted in finding a new operator.
The current operator, Manning River Holdings, cited 'many challenges faced this year' and continued low demand for childcare services in the area as reasons for the decision. The company had signed a five-year lease with City of Newcastle in late 2024, making the abrupt closure particularly surprising.
In their email to parents, the centre management acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating: 'It is with sadness that we must notify you that we will not be operating the Darby Street centre next year.' They provided a list of five alternative centres with potential vacancies for 2026.
Council response and future hopes
A City of Newcastle spokeswoman expressed disappointment with Manning River Holdings' decision to abandon the lease just over a year into the five-year agreement. 'We have been willing to work with Manning River Holdings on a feasible solution,' she stated.
The council confirmed it remains committed to maintaining a not-for-profit childcare provider at the location and has already begun searching for a new operator. However, no timeline has been established for when a replacement might be found.
Ms Sumner and other parents indicated they're prepared to fight to keep the centre open once again, hoping to work with City of Newcastle to explore options for securing another operator. 'It's perfect for our community,' she said, 'and we're not really sure where we're supposed to go now.'
The closure highlights ongoing challenges in the Newcastle childcare sector, with limited available spots creating additional stress for families already dealing with the emotional impact of losing their trusted childcare provider just weeks before Christmas.
