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“Any change to parish land is significant, and so I do want to acknowledge the local church community, who continue to play such an important role in our town.<\/p>\n
“The new centre will make a real difference for families, support parents returning to work and create a nurturing space for young learners.”<\/p>\n
The project forms part of the state government’s rollout of 50 Early Learning Victoria sites across the state, targeted at high-need areas.<\/p>\n
A separate two-room kindergarten will also be built at Bellarine Secondary College in Ocean Grove. It is due to open in 2027 with capacity for up to 118 children.<\/p>\n
Marchant said the new facilities would provide more options for local families.<\/p>\n
“This is fantastic news for the Bellarine community,” she said.<\/p>\n
“These new services will provide Bellarine parents and caregivers with more early learning options close to home.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A LONG-AWAITED early learning centre for St Leonards has been locked in, with the state government confirming a new childcare and kindergarten facility for the township. It ends years of uncertainty for residents who had feared the centre could instead be delivered in nearby Portarlington, despite sustained local advocacy. The government-owned and operated centre is […]<\/p>\n