We have developed a Children's Services Strategy to guide the delivery of education and care services for children and families in our community.

At a meeting held on Tuesday 25 May 2021 the strategy was adopted by Council.

View the Council minutes, Item 10.1, pg.14

"Children’s Services are valued as an essential part of Council's commitment to a healthy and engaged community.

Our integrated learning services and play-based approach sets the benchmark for early childhood learning across the Northern Beaches.

Council’s Children’s Services are accessible, equitable, and flexible. They enable community connections and support community values."

The Strategy was exhibited between 29 November 2019 and 19 January 2020, during which time we received 32 submissions.

The responses showed strong support for the strategy as a guiding document to direct our role in the delivery of education and care services for children and families in our community. Engagement feedback reflected the need to provide education and care services for children with additional needs, as well as supporting vulnerable or disadvantaged families; Council's high quality care and education services; lack of Council run education and care services in areas north of Narrabeen and the need for more flexible care arrangements.

We also received feedback expressing concern in relation to the validity of the population growth statistics used to inform the strategy. As a result we delayed the finalisation of the strategy whilst population growth statistics were reviewed and the strategy updated.