Centre to offer free family fun

STAFF at Ballarat North Early Learning Centre will be opening up their site next weekend to everyone as part of a family fun day.

Running from 9am to 12pm on Saturday 4 May, the free circus carnival themed event will be about showcasing the centre to the community.

“We’re trying to get the word out about our centre and our wonderful team to the community,” centre director Erica Wing Jan said.

“It’s to showcase our great service while giving everyone a fun day out and it’s one of the many ways we can build our relationship with the community.”

The event will feature a jumping castle, tea cup rides, a bubble artist, a reptile petting zoo, circus performers and entertainers like face painters and a magician.

Free food will be on offer while attendees can register upon entry into a lucky door prize.

The opportunity for private tours will be available, either during the event or on a separate day.

Ms Wing Jan said it’s important to show the community what services are available for their children.

“Ballarat is a regional city but we’re actually expanding quite a lot,” she said. “I think you only have to drive around every other corner to see childcare centres being built.

“Being a first-time parent, it can be difficult to figure out where their child should go, so it’s about being able to give them the opportunity to see what we offer in that fun environment.”

With a team of nearly 30 staff members, the centre currently caters for about 100 families and has the capacity to deliver services for children between six weeks and 12 years old.

The centre can be found at 1013 Ligar Street, Ballarat North.