Early ed and swim centre for Brown Hill

A HUB for childcare, early education and activity is coming to Brown Hill, with construction underway on The Y’s new Learn and Swim Centre.

The facility at 40 Water Street for children aged six weeks to five years will seek to provide kindergarten, long day care, and The Y’s learn-to-swim lessons in a 17-metre heated pool.

Acting CEO at The Y Ballarat Craig Mathieson said their aim is to provide quality and essential early learning that nurtures kids’ development.

“We are really excited to be developing this unique model of early years education to support the next generation of young people and the local community,” he said.

“[It’s] a unique offering in Ballarat and across Victoria. Our vision is to equip children with learning skills for life.

“Whether this be in anticipation of starting at school, or to be able to swim and be safe around water, we see this as our opportunity to empower young people.

“Not only will it support busy families that may find their time stretched, but it will also offer another swim school facility in a different area of Ballarat, at a time when the region has seen incredible growth.”

The kindergarten will accommodate 114 enrolments across its funded program for three and four year olds.

The centre is expected to be completed in early-2023, with the kinder and care spaces open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, 50 weeks of the year. The pool will be open seven days.