Ad Hoc Committee on Child Care Facilities [Sydney College of Advanced Education (SCAE) Council]

The Committee was formed by the College Council in November 1982 to enquire into the provision of child care facilities within the College. When first formed it was thought that the committee would operate for a few months, report to the College Principal and then disband. The Committee saw that it could make recommendations in one of two directions; either the new college could offer direct child care service to staff and students or that assistance could be given to staff and students to use existing community based facilities.

The Committee collected statistical data on the child care needs of the College community and presented a report to Council in October 1983. The Council endorsed in principle the recommendation to establish community based child care facilities under the auspices of the College. The Committee then had to concentrate its activities on sources of funding and the location of the facilities.

The Council adopted new terms of reference for the Committee at its October 1983 meeting. As well as endorsing in principle the recommendation, the child care facilities were to be:

1. in an inner city location;
2. to provide long day care for children 0 to 5 years; and
3. to be available to staff, students and the community.

The Committee was to continue to exist to further inquire into and advise Council on the establishment of College based child care facilities, with particular reference to:
1. capital costs;
2. recurrent costs;
3. likely sources of funding; and
4. structure of facilities, including ages and numbers of children to be catered for, staffing and physical requirements.

In 1985 the Committee recommended to Council that the Melanie Alexander School (which was on land owned by the University) be a site for College child care facilities. A report to Council dated 16 June 1986 shows that no decision had been taken on the location of the facilities. The series ends with a copy of the report.