Teesdale ELC works on track

CONSTRUCTION is underway on the new Early Learning Victoria childcare centre and kindergarten at Teesdale.

The site next door to Teesdale Primary School will house long day care and kindergarten programs for up to 102 local three and four-year-old children.

The design includes outdoor play areas, on-site parking, a community room, and a maternal and child health consulting room.

Slab works and concrete pouring started this week, and structural steel is expected to go up in the middle of this month.

“We’re looking forward to the partnership we will have between the ELC and the school,” said Teesdale Primary School principal Sam Irwin.

“The students have loved watching all the excavation unfold over the fence, and it’s been amazing to see how quickly the builders are working.

“We’re not just excited for the ELC but for our new oval and soccer pitch, and carpark. This second project will also sustain our enrolments and growth.”

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle visited the site last week, meeting with Mr Irwin, and representatives of ELV, the Department of Education, and Fairbrother construction company.

“This centre will give local children the very best start in life, while also supporting parents to return to work or study,” she said.

“It’s a growing community and the demand is just going to keep increasing.

“I love the model of the schools and kinders being next to eachother, having been a mum and having to do two drop-offs.

“I’m proud to be part of investing in our future, and I can’t wait to see the doors open to local families.”

She said having the centre close to the school will be convenient for parents and carers at pick-up time, and make kindergarteners’ transition to primary school easier.

“It makes it much smoother. They can see what’s coming over the fence, and the primary school kids can have a relationship with the little ones,” she said.

The centre is expected to be complete by early November. Enrolments are open and staff recruitment is underway.

Fifty early learning and childcare centres, including Teesdale’s, are being established across the state as part of the government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms.