30 years of caring for our kids

CITY of Ballarat’s Occasional Child Care Center has celebrated 30 years of caring for kids with a birthday party.

The event took place at the center’s facility at the corner of Market Street and Armstrong Street North last Friday and included cake, party, dress-ups and face painting.

“I’d like to congratulate all the staff on the absolutely fantastic job they do in caring for the young people in this center,” City of Ballarat North Ward Councilor Amy Johnson said.

“I think it’s a really important service because it provides flexibility for people, rather than having to be locked into a full day of care.

“It’s a great place to bring children and parents feel really comfortable leaving their little people here.”

Established in 1988, the service provides a flexible option for parents who need short term or temporary child care.

About 85 children a week attend the Occasional Child Care Center.

“We know that parents and careers often have to attend appointments where they can’t have their children with them, so this service provides care two hour blocks,” Cr Johnson said.

“If parents are shift workers and there’s time in-between where they are not able to care for the children they can drop them here for a couple of hours and the other parent or career can pick them up.

“The fantastic thing about this center is that it’s such a welcoming and friendly environment and I think that’s reflected in the really high utilisation rates.”

The celebration comes ahead of the center’s relocation to the Girrabanya Integrated Children’s Center next year.

Along with the occasional care the new facility will be co-located with permeant childcare places, a kindergarten and postnatal and mental health services.

“There’ll continue to be a very high-level of quality care at the new center and I think the children will really enjoy the brand new facilities,” Cr Johnson said.