Parents of Wind in the Willows childcare centre to get answers with promised release of confidential documents

Confidential documents over the shock sale of Wind in the Willows childcare will be released by the Town of Bassendean after community outrage over the proposal. The council has faced immense backlash following the announcement of its plans to sell off the childcare centre to Cha Cha Cha Pty Ltd. Wind in the Willows is a not-for-profit childcare centre operating across two locations in Bassendean and Ashfield and currently cares for about 120 children. The Ashfield location — for older children — is proposed to close later in the year, and the Bassendean centre — for younger children — would close as soon as mid-2026. Two rallies were held after the announcement: one outside council chambers and the other at the Bassendean centre, drawing a large number of families, children, and even local MP Dave Kelly. On the town’s website, it said there were other experienced providers that could meet the needs of local families and rising operational costs, particularly staffing expenses, along with compliance requirements had made the service less sustainable. Despite mayor Kathryn Hamilton publicly defending the town’s decision to dispose of the centres, she said she had now requested confidential documents about the proposed sale be released. “Noting the significant community interest in the public notice ‘Disposal of Property’, and out of respect for the special meeting of electors scheduled for Wednesday, 25 March, I have requested that administration release the confidential attachments in relation to this matter on March 18,” Cr Hamilton said. A special council meeting will also be rescheduled from Tuesday, March 31, to Thursday, April 9, to give the town’s administration time to consider the outcome from the special meeting of electors. Parents had lodged a Freedom of Information request for access to confidential documents, including a service review, councillor workshops relating to divestment of the centres, officer reports, expression of interest documents, and email correspondence between the town and Cha Cha Cha Group Pty Ltd. The estimated cost, if access was granted, would have set the parents back more than $300 to cover printing charges and staff time. The special meeting of electors will be held at Swan Districts Football Club on Old Perth Road.