LEONGATHA Early Learning Centre (ELC) is officially open, with community members, kinder attendees, parents, staff, South Gippsland Shire councillors and State Government representatives on hand to welcome the long-awaited occasion.
Challenges in obtaining materials and staffing issues affecting the construction industry substantially delayed the expected completion date of the project, but those present at the opening were delighted with the finished facility.
The ELC is managed by the long-running Leongatha Children’s Centre Incorporated, which operates nearby, and will cater to kindergarten students as well as babies and toddlers.
The Children’s Centre director Paula Holt has been part of the organisation for 22 years, originally working in the kindergarten before moving into her present role, and is delighted to have the ELC in service to help meet increased demand for kindergarten and childcare places.
“We offer free kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds, this year or for 2024, she said.
The Victorian Government now subsidises three-year-old kinder, with a commitment to double the weekly hours of four-year-old kinder from 15 per child to 30 by 2027.
“Every family deserves access to high quality affordable kinder,” Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Katie Hall said to her audience during the ELC’s official opening.
“I see a lot of kindergartens and this is a magnificent centre,” she told the Sentinel-Times after joining other attendees on a tour of the facilities.
Katie said that boosting kindergarten opportunities and hours is a positive for children and parents, stressing early years learning is as important as school and that while young learners enjoy those benefits, parents will have greater freedom to return to work.
Katie was particularly impressed with the thoughtful design of the ‘sleeping room’, with one youngster already taking advantage of the calm space.
In contrast, the ELC features bright, vibrant play spaces with toys and activities keeping young minds active.
Plenty of three-year-old kinder participants were on hand during the opening, enjoying the generous indoor and outdoor play spaces, with teachers and educators on hand to ensure safe and stimulating play.
While a couple of the three-year-old kinder brigade in Elsie and Helena were among those enjoying table-based activities inside, Arlo and Ruben put their energy into shovelling sand into small vehicles outside.
General board member Pip Littlejohn is delighted to see the ELC open, also being the mother of Millie and Henry O’Halloran who will soon both be at the centre.
Eight-month-old Henry starts in the baby section of the ELC in September, with two-and-a-half-year-old Millie joining three-year-old kinder at the centre next year.
“We’re so excited and there’s been a lot of hard work from Paula and her team,” Pip said, also noting the committed efforts of those at South Gippsland Shire Council.
Coordinator of the ELC, Maddie Dowel, is currently working through a childcare waiting list, with the new centre to prove crucial in accommodating many more families.
Services will continue to expand over the next few years.
Upper house member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh spoke of the importance of setting up the next generation academically and emotionally.
“Not only for the kids but for the staff and educators, this is a building that you all deserve,” Tom said.
Mayor Nathan Hersey spoke of the increased popularity of South Gippsland Shire as people realise it is a great place to live, with those moving from areas such as Melbourne boosting the number of kindergarten and childcare places needed, a demand the ELC will help meet locally.
He thanked the Victorian Government for its contribution of $2.37 million that helped make the much-needed project a reality, with council contributing around $3 million.
Parents are encouraged to call 5662 3533 to enquire about kindergarten places and childcare services.
