Sunday, February 16, 2025

$1.65m upgrade for Ballarat children’s centre

A Wendouree children’s facility will once again be filled with young learners following the completion of a substantial refurbishment by City of Ballarat Council.

With the $1.65 million refurbishment of the Rowan View Children’s Centre (formerly Rowan View Kindergarten) now finished, applications are being accepted for enrolment in 2024.

The Forest Street facility will deliver free three and four-year-old kindergarten commencing in January 2024, as well as a specialised referral-only childcare program.

Mayor, Des Hudson said the refurbishment of the facility will ensure the City of Ballarat has the appropriate infrastructure to operate education and care services in a suburb with a high level of vulnerability.  

The works that have been carried out include full internal refurbishment providing three fit for purpose early years learning rooms, staff planning spaces and a welcoming family area and meeting room.

“The centre has been given a new breath of life and it’s heartening to see how much it has improved,” said Mayor Hudson.

“We are proud to be a part of a genuine education precinct set up in Forest Street, with the State Government primary and secondary schools on the same street. It’s an area where families can transition between services from three-year-old kinder through to Year 12.

“I can’t wait to see the facility become a hive of activity once again.”

The City of Ballarat Municipal Early Years Plan 2022–2026 shows that 20% of Ballarat’s population is aged 14 and younger.

It also showed Wendouree experienced the highest degree of disadvantaged households, making refurbishments such as the one at Rowan View even more vital, the Mayor said.

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