SEA Lake Early Learning Centre officially welcomed its first intake of children last week.
The new facility, which has been almost a decade in the making, was well received by the local community, who had an opportunity to walk through the building before it opened to the region’s youngest residents.
Kindergarten teacher Bron Alday said the Sea Lake community had been pushing for the new centre for many years.
“A lot of people put in a lot of work to get to this point,” Ms Alday said.
“It’s exciting for the future of Sea Lake.”
Ms Alday said there was a need for additional childcare services in the town to support working parents.
Following many years of campaigning and fundraising by the kindergarten, Buloke Shire Council secured State Government funding in 2019 to relocate and upgrade the kindergarten and co-locate it on the grounds of Tyrrell College.
The $1.152 million project aimed to increase the capacity of the service.
The project secured further funding in 2020 and 2022 to develop a ramp at the front of the building and larger outdoor play space., following several delays.
“It’s been a long journey,” Ms Munro said, after COVID-19, floods and other issues had delayed the opening, which was originally scheduled for last year.
“It’s really exciting to get to this point,” Ms Munro said.
“The new centre is licensed to hold up to 39 children and allows for an integrated program.”
The centre provides childcare, a three and four-year-old kindergarten program, and incorporates the town’s Maternal and Child Health Service.
Ms Munro said the centre was already at capacity with their childcare bookings for the under three age group, noting the demand for childcare services within the town was high.
She said MTHCS was working hard to open up more places soon.
“Our workforce is the biggest challenge,” Ms Munro said.
The new centre has already bolstered job opportunities for early learning positions in the town.
“We currently have three trainees as part of the team who are able to learn and be mentored while working.”
Ms Munro said more positions and traineeships were available and she urged anyone seeking a career in childcare or early years education to contact Mallee Track Health and Community Service.
