By Callum Ludwig
Cire Services has received a major boost with the announcement of a $2 million Early Years Learning Hub to come to the Yarra Junction site, due to some funding from the Department of Education’s Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to support Cire’s major investment.
Construction is scheduled to commence in February 2023, with the Cire team keen on committing to an opening date in February 2024.
Cire CEO Gus Seremetis said the projects will create a state-of-the-art precinct at Yarra Junction for children from birth and pre-school through to Year 12.
“Cire is very excited about what these projects mean for the Upper Yarra, providing easily accessible and quality education and resources, state-of-the-art facilities and support,” she said.
“Cire’s substantial co-contribution of several million dollars is testimony to our commitment and confidence for the future of the Upper Yarra, and the region, and in providing the best possible learning and education opportunities and support for children and their families.”
The new hub will comprise a 118-place-long day care service with an integrated funded kindergarten program for both 3-year-olds and 4- year-olds. It will also have Cire’s Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program on-site, as well as meeting rooms and consulting spaces for external agencies.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child commended Cire for its vision and ongoing commitment to the region at a turning of the sod ceremony for the announcement and said Cire’s achievements have been remarkable since its humble beginnings as the Yarra Junction Neighbourhood House in 1976.
“Cire has gone from strength to strength since those early years to become one of the largest not-for-profit organisations in the Yarra Ranges and a valued partner and friend of the Yarra Ranges Council,” he said.
“We commend Cire for its initiative and forward-thinking in helping meet the needs of our communities who are often geographically disadvantaged because they are at the farther extreme of our municipality.”
Cire Early Learning’s existing centre, currently co-located at 43 Little Yarra Road with the Cire Community School, will be redeveloped into a quality learning environment for Years 5 and 6 students thanks to another Victorian Government grant awarded by the Block Grant Authority.
Cire also operates through outreach and sites at Lilydale, Yarra Junction, Mount Evelyn, Chirnside Park and Badger Creek in the Yarra Ranges.
