CONSTRUCTION is set to begin on the $2 million expansion of the Yarram Early Learning Centre.
The Yarram Early Learning Centre, which operates out of the council-owned Yarram Hub, is funded by a $2 million infrastructure investment through the state government’s ‘Building Blocks’ grant program – helping to expand the centre’s existing infrastructure to provide more kindergarten spaces for local children.
The expanded centre will include a two-room modular facility and a centralised play area at the rear of the Yarram Hub building.
Upgrades will provide 66 additional kindergarten spaces to support three and four-year-olds as early as 2024.
The state government is installing the new modular building, with the Victorian School Building Authority overseeing the project.
Wellington Shire Council collaborated with the state government to determine a suitable location for the facility, and one that is connected to the existing Yarram Hub and home to the Yarram Early Learning Centre.
Council says the modular design boasts a versatile and sustainable approach to construction, with the delivery of a high-quality building up to 50 per cent faster than traditional construction methods.
Once assembled, the building will be delivered to site and connected via a pathway to the existing building at 156 Grant Street in Yarram.
Construction is expected to be complete by late October 2023, with the new kindergarten opening for the start of Term 1, 2024.
During the construction phase, there will be minimal disruption to the community, however visitors to the Yarram Hub should note that a small section of the rear car park will be closed during building works.
Visitors should use the rear car park for short-term drop-off and pick-up. Additional parking will be available at the front of the building via Grant Street or along Lawler Street.
Accessible car parking will remain available.
Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Ian Bye, welcomed the project and looks forward to expanding on Yarram’s very successful early years program.
“It’s a very exciting time for the Yarram community and infrastructure improvements such as this go a long way in supporting the livability of our region,” Cr Bye said.
“I look forward to the next phase of early years services in Yarram and surrounds, building on the incredible service that the Yarram Early Learning Centre has provided for the last eight years.
“We recognise that there is a growing demand for more early years places across Wellington Shire. Council remains committed to investing and sourcing more funding opportunities to deliver increased early childhood education services within our local communities.”
Yarram Early Learning Centre manager Sarah Gregory welcomed the news.
“At Yarram Early Learning, we are very excited to be able to respond to the growing community demand for early years places,” she said.
“This initiative will give access to 66 kindergarten places in the new building and allow us to increase availability across the other rooms in the centre, providing vital support for local families.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood, Katie Hall said the new project would benefit families in the region.
“Every child deserves a high-quality local kindergarten in which to learn and play and this partnership means more kinder places for the region’s families, with more opportunities to give their children the best start in life,” she said.
To find out more about the Yarram Early Learning Centre project, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/yarram-early-learning-centre
To learn more about three and four year old kindergarten for 2024 at Yarram Early Learning Centre phone (03) 5182 5190 or email admin@yarramelc.com.au
Register for kindergarten in Yarram in 2024 through council’s new Kindergarten Central Registration Service, visit wellington.vic.gov.au/community/early-years or phone council’s Early Years team on 1300 366 244.
