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Warrnambool will gain about 95 new kinder and childcare places in early 2028 with the opening of a new Early Learning Centre at Deakin University.
“This is great news for Warrnambool families and children,” Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said.
“The announcement by the Victorian Government of the 130-place Early Years service at Deakin maintains a service at the campus and will help cater to the increasing demand in our growing city.
“It also underscores the need for an Early Years Centre of Excellence to help bolster the growing need for more qualified Early Years educators.”
The Early Learning Centre will be operated by the Victorian Government authority, Early Learning Victoria, and replaces Council’s 35-place Sherwood Park Early Learning Centre.
“We know the new Early Years Centre is great for Warrnambool yet it’s also a little bitter-sweet for our Early Years community because of the connection and relationships that have built up over the years at the Sherwood Park site,” Council’s Director of City Wellbeing Brooke Love said.
“Council needs more Early Years educators across our services and it’s our intention to retain all of the expertise and experience of our Sherwood Park team.
“So, we’ll enter into discussions about how we transition our Sherwood Park staff into our other 11 kinders and Early Learning Centres.
“At this stage we understand the Victorian Government will open the new Deakin facility for the start of 2028 so we have some time to work through a transition that works for staff and Council.”
The Early Learning Centre at Deakin University will feature dedicated training and observation spaces, supporting students undertaking the TAFE Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, as well as Deakin University's new Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, which starts next year.
“Council supports a number of trainees within our facilities to achieve their qualifications and we also support staff who are upskilling to higher qualifications,” Ms Love said.
Council has experienced workforce shortages, as have with private providers, and Council welcomes the opportunity to support students with further early years studies.
“We want these staff to continue with us and we recognise we are going to need more kindergarten teachers, diploma educators and Cert III educators for our kindergartens and early learning services.”