Bassendean council daycare sale in tatters as buyer pulls out

The Town of Bassendean has abandoned the controversial sale of its popular council-run Wind in the Willows childcare centres after the only interested party, Cha Cha Cha Group, pulled out of the deal.

However, the town still intends to eventually sell the Bassendean site and will move to bring in a not-for-profit to run the other Wind in the Willows centre in Ashfield, with the help of state or federal funding.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Bassendean Mayor Kathryn Hamilton revealed the sale process would be abandoned.

Hamilton brought an urgent motion to the council, officially abandoning the sale but pivoting the council to seek a not-for-profit to continue operating the centre in Ashfield, seek funding from state and federal governments, and signal the town’s continued intent to sell the Bassendean site.

Wind in the Willows operates two centres in Bassendean and Ashfield, both within the local government area, which Hamilton said was inherently inefficient.

“It is clear that the status quo cannot continue given the growing impost on all ratepayers currently subsidising the provision of town operated childcare centres,” she told the council meeting.

“The provision of a new fit-for-purpose childcare facility at Ashfield reserve will provide contemporary facilities with long-term surety of tenure, given the location is crown reserve where not-for-profit childcare is permitted and preferred use.”

Dave Kelly, the Labor MP for the state electorate of Bassendean, heralded the “bombshell” backdown as a “massive win” for the community.

“The withdrawal of Cha Cha Cha from the sale process is great news for the community because there was overwhelming opposition from families to the privatisation proposal,” he said.

“The dedicated bunch of parents that doorknocked, petitioned and rallied should be really proud of what they have achieved. Whether the councillors wanted it or not the childcare service will not now be sold off to a private operator.

“However, it was clear from the debate that some councillors, including the mayor, are still in favour of the Town of Bassendean ending its 40-year history of quality childcare services run by the town.”

Kelly said the town needed to ensure children were put at the centre of any future decision.

“After such a tumultuous few weeks where families were blindsided by the proposal to sell the Wind in the Willows what the families want now is certainty from the mayor and councillors that their kids are safe and secure,” he said.

“The number one priority should be care for the kids. That’s what the community want the councillors to concentrate on.”

Wind in the Willows has been operating in Bassendean and Ashfield locations for more than 40 years and is one of the most popular and highly regarded centres in the area.

Parents were blindsided by the council’s decision to sell the Bassendean centre to private provider Cha Cha Cha Group and close the Ashfield facility, which was first made public in December despite discussions about the daycare’s viability and future starting in April 2025.

They have since mounted a community campaign, which had the backing of Kelly, urging the council to reverse its decision over concerns about losing the popular service utilised by about 200 families and questions on the lack of community consultation.

Confidential documents released late last week included outcomes of several behind-closed-door council meetings last year, in which town officers detailed the dire state of finances of the facility, which would reach a nearly $400,000 operating deficit by the end of this year and expend much of the centre’s $450,000 surplus account.

The documents revealed officers eventually recommended the town sell the site to Cha Cha Cha Group for $2.5 million.

A special electors’ meeting about the future of Wind in the Willows will still go ahead at Swan Districts Football Club on Wednesday night.

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