Childcare centres across the Hunter are in crisis, claiming the Morrison Government’s childcare policy in response to COVID-19 isn’t working.

Samaritans runs two early learning centres; one in Newcastle, the other in Woodberry.

The foundation also provides homelessness and emergency relief and, because the overarching body hasn’t lost 30% of its profits, it’s not eligible for JobKeeper payments, despite its early learning centres suffering a dramatic loss.

Community Services Manager Julie Pearson said she’s had no choice but to stand down all 30 staff.

“It’s a very awful situation for us,’ she said.

“If we had JobKeeper it would be very different. Staff could be paid some of their wages through that policy but, in the situation we’re in, we are far from that.”

Samaritans is having to turn away families who desperately need care, reducing some to just one day a week.

“We’re allocating families one or two days a week and it’s very hard to manage,” she said.

“At our Darby Street centre we have 30 children but could easily have more, while in Woodberry we have 14 children a day, but with school going back we have teachers who want their children to return and we are juggling to accommodate that.

“Either way, a family misses out. It’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Children who do attend are being asked to bring their own food as there’s not enough money to pay the centre’s cook, while its opening hours have also been slashed.

“We thought it made more sense to hire an educator instead of the cook so we could provide care to more children,” Ms Pearson said.

“Children are bringing their own lunch and we have shortened our opening hours to manage staff rosters better and accommodate more children.”

Pearson also said there wasn’t enough planning put into the policy.

“We applied for an exemption but we are still waiting for that to be assessed for approval,” she said.

Paterson Federal MP Meryl Swanson said the policy was more harmful than helpful.

“The government must properly fund and implement a system that delivers affordable and accessible childcare, meets demand and keeps providers in Paterson viable,” she said.

“Families in Paterson need accessible and affordable childcare as many continue to face financial strain, and providers are in need of certainty and support to continue the great job they’re doing in educating and caring for our children.”