Child care application

THE ABC Group, one of the largest owners of private childcare businesses in Australia, is planning to open a $1million centre in Healesville next year.
The Queensland based company, which operates more than 650 centres across Australia, is in the process of applying to the Shire of Yarra Ranges for permits to build the 90 place centre on the corner of the Maroondah Highway and Steel Street.
The new centre would take the number of childcare places in Healesville to about 160 with Robyn Jane Community Childcare Centre providing 40 places and ‘Puggles’ Childcare Centre in Badger Creek, now also an ABC centre, providing 30 places.
Don Jones, head of ABC Acquisitions, said the company had identified Healesville as a growth area for childcare and was keen to get the centre up and running.
He said while the company has not as yet gained council approval, he does not anticipate any problems.
Mr Jones said the company had designed and built 200 of its centres.
Alison Cran, director social and economic development with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, said the shire supports the provision of more childcare in the region.
“We know there is a significant waiting list for the Robyn Jane Centre in Healesville and that Yarra Ranges has been identified as an area that has a shortage of childcare places.
“We are keen to see the development of more childcare across the municipality and keen to see quality childcare provided which meets all the standards set by the Commonwealth Government,” she said.
The centre is scheduled to open next April.