In a letter sent out on December 16^th, parents were notified that the Western Riverina Family Daycare Scheme was unable to successfully negotiate a further agreement to continue the well established and utilised GNOOSH service.

Children who utilised the service are now set to be bused to either Hanwood PS and Darlington PS as host school for a out of school hours service, with all other remaining schools in Griffith, now set to include Griffith North PS, as mere transport schools following a Request for Tender published by the Department of Education.

According to Nominated Supervisor of the Western Riverina Family Day Care Scheme Helen Walker, the Department of Education failed to consult with staff of Griffith North and the families that use the GNOOSH service.

"The consultation with us as a Provider was providing the Department with utilisation reports and as far as I am aware, no consultation whatsoever by the Griffith North Public-School Staff or the Department of Education was had with the families that use the GNOOSH service," Mrs Walker said.

"Where was the consultation with the Griffith North school community, either through the P&C Committee or a general survey?".

Mrs Walker said that it was devastating to have the service taken away.

"We feel devastated that this will affect so many children and their families, the staff of GNOOSH as well as taking away a service in a central location for the convenience of families," Mrs Walker said.

Two GNOOSH staff will now also loose their jobs.

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In a meeting held outside Griffith North PS on December 17^th saw families who utilise the GNOOSH service meet with Member for Murray Helen Dalton voice their concerns.

Mrs Dalton referred to the closure of GNOOSH as a 'tragedy for Griffith' with the NSW Government's new tender for the region choosing Hanwood PS Darlington Point PS as the only onsite care services in the region.

"Both these schools are outside Griffith," Mrs Dalton said

"It means many children will have to take buses to out of school hours care, or miss out all together."

Griffith Base Hospital staff member Jess Patane had two daughters who were using the GNOOSH service.

"It means my two girls will have nowhere to go after school," Ms Patane said.

"My only option now is to organise something with friends."

Mrs Dalton has contacted Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell to reverse the NSW Government policy for out of school services to be put for competitive tender.

"What this means is that corporations can compete with community groups to run these services," Mrs Dalton said.

"Small not for profits can't fulfill all the tender requirements, they can't compete with this corporations."

More to come on this story.

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