Early childhood education options are set to expand in Woori Yallock in either 2027 or 2028 with the announcement of a new childcare centre for the town.
The new centre was announced for the suburb by the Victorian Government on Tuesday 5 December, one of 50 to come across the state in the coming years.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said more childcare options, closer to home: that’s what Victorian parents need.
“We’re making sure more Victorian parents can get back to work when they want to, removing the stress they face in constantly searching for childcare – and most importantly, making sure kids are getting the critical early education they need for the best start in life,” she said.
Four sites will open in 2025, 10 in 2026 and the rest, including the new Woori Yallock site, are yet to be confirmed as to whether they will open in 2027 or 2028.
The Victorian Government endeavours for the 2027 and 2028 sites to be located at or alongside government schools, hospitals, TAFEs and other major employers to end the dreaded double drop-off and reduce morning travel times for families.
“We know many Victorian families are finding it tough to access childcare when and where they need it – so we’re delivering 50 affordable childcare centres in the areas that need them most,” said Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn.
Waitlist, registration and enrolment details will be released closer to the opening of the new sites, while the new centres will also be eligible for the Free Three and Four-Year-Old Kinder programs should they continue.
Currently, Woori Yallock is serviced by Yarra Ranges Kinders’ Woori Yallock Preschool at 28 View Street, which offers a sessional program, and Only About Children at 7/13 Symes Road, which offers Long Day Care with a Kindergarten Program. The other closest services in neighbouring townships are Seville Preschool and Launching Place Preschool.
As part of the reform response, the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life Workforce Strategy was also released on Monday 4 December, promising to expand on existing initiatives (eg: Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, Effective Mentoring, scholarships to study early years education) and set new goals, including for all Victorian children to have access to 1,800 hours of funded kindergarten before school (600 hours of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and 1,200 hours of Pre-Prep) by 2032.
“We’re backing the next generation of our early childhood workforce with greater career pathways and providing them with the support they need to grow their skills – giving children the early education they deserve,” said Ms Blandthorn.
“A quality early childhood education starts with dedicated staff. Consultation with the sector has shown that our workforce initiatives, training and upskilling opportunities and mentoring programmes are supporting early childhood workers to be their best.”
