Bruce Early Childhood Centre to Close
25 March 2025
Capital Region Community Services is disappointed to announce the permanent closure of Bruce Early Childhood Centre (Bruce ECC). Over the coming months, our commitment is to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for the children, families and employees impacted by this news.
Despite working closely with the ACT Government to find an alternative solution, Bruce ECC’s leasing contract will end as part of a broader plan to develop the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT). The building will be repurposed to accommodate the transition of the CIT Yuruana centre from the Reid campus to Bruce. Bruce ECC will cease operations on 9 May 2025.
“The closure of our centre marks the end of an era. For over 40 years, we’ve provided education and care to thousands of Canberra children, making this a significant loss to Capital Region Community Services and the wider community,” said Mandy Green, CRCS Chief Executive Officer. “We know this news will bring great sadness to many.”
“From the very beginning, countless people have contributed so much knowledge, energy and goodwill to make it the wonderful centre that we have today. As one of Canberra’s early education centres rated Exceeding National Quality Standard, Bruce ECC is known for its high-quality, which is reflected in the long waitlist of families eager to enrol their children,” said Mrs Green.
Our primary focus now is to provide the best possible support the tight-knit community affected by the closure, including the 49 children enrolled at Bruce ECC and our 12 dedicated educators.
We have developed a comprehensive Transition Plan to ensure that every child currently enrolled – including sibling groups – will be offered a place at one of our sister centres:
• Ginninderra Early Childhood Centre (GECC) in Belconnen Town Centre
• Bruce Ridge Early Childhood Centre (BRECC) next to the North Canberra Hospital.
Most of our educators will also have the opportunity to continue their roles at these centres or within CRCS’s outside school hours care programs at Florey Primary School and Charnwood-Dunlop School. We are dedicated to maintaining continuity of care by keeping children and educators together wherever possible.
The ACT Education Directorate’s Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA), ACT’s Regulatory Authority for the education and care sector, has been supportive throughout our transition planning.
We understand that this transition may bring challenges and stress, and we are committed to maintaining open and transparent communication throughout the process. Our priority remains supporting our children, families and employees every step of the way.
For further information or assistance, please contact Amy O’Dell, Senior Manager – Communication and Engagement, at 0439 923 710 or amy.odell@crcs.com.au.
Download this Media Statement (PDF)
About CRCS
Capital Region Community Services is a non-profit, community-based organisation delivering a broad range of programs and services across the ACT and the wider capital region.
CRCS supports individuals and families through early education and care, outside school hours care, youth engagement, family support, community transport, aged care services, therapeutic support and community development programs. Our services are designed to enhance wellbeing, promote inclusion, and strengthen communities.
