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Leongatha Early Learning Centre opens 6 June 2023 with $5.37M from Building Blocks Early Years Infrastructure and council funding

Leongatha new Early Learning Centre is now open, offering child services, including kindergarten, day care, and family support. The facility features hydronic floor heating, spacious play areas, and ample parking.

By news@gippsland - 9th June 2023 - Back to News

The new Leongatha Early Learning Centre is now officially open, following a ribbon-cutting event in Leongatha on Tuesday 6 June. The new facility was opened by Mayor Nathan Hersey along with Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Katie Hall and Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh. The Leongatha Early Learning Centre was constructed to support the growing demand for children's services in the South Gippsland Shire.

Mayor Nathan Hersey and some of our Councillors and Chief Executive Officer were joined by Katie Hall MP and Tom McIntosh MP to cut the ribbon and celebrate the new Leongatha Early Learning Centre

Versatile learning space

Designed to support the roll-out of subsidised kindergarten for three-year-old's, the Early Learning Centre also caters for long day care, supported playgroups and space for family related services. The new building is approximately 1100m in size consisting of four main day-care/preschool rooms with shared amenities, multi-purpose space, and associated staff/admin rooms, including kitchen, laundry and outdoor staff area.

A key design feature of the new facility is the use of hydronic floor heating to the four main children's rooms. This is combined with a large outdoor play-space of approximately 1500m consisting of a mix of nature based elements and natural play structures designed to cater for the varying age groups. Supporting works include, re-configuration and expansion to existing car parking including lighting and traffic calming devices.

Inclusive learning haven

Leongatha's Early Learning Centre has been constructed by council to provide a safe inclusive and nurturing environment for children within South Gippsland Shire to thrive and reach their full potential. The Early Learning Centre was funded through the state government Department of Education's Building Blocks Early Years Infrastructure Grant ($2.37 million) and South Gippsland Shire Council ($3 million).

The construction contract for the project was awarded in September 2021 and the build was completed in April 2023. Designed by Centrum Architects and built by Kubale Construction, the expansive learning centre is positioned within one of Leongatha's growing residential districts.

The centre is licensed to provide Centre-Based Care for up to 120 children. Registrations for three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten in 2024 are currently open until 30 June 2023. You can register at Kindergarten Central Registration page.

Child-focused collaboration

Cr Nathan Hersey, Mayor South Gippsland Shire Council said, "With the opening of the Leongatha Early Learning Centre last week, it is the perfect time to continue the conversation about what South Gippsland's children and families need now and into the future."

"Council offers many services that are utilised by our children and families, as well as some of our close partners, so it is important that we all work together to continue to improve. As a community, we need to be mindful to make good decisions for the future generations, with a clear focus on our children today," Cr Hersey said.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com