The heart of the local community

If you ask anyone living in or around the Torquay area, they’ll tell you it’s the kind of place where there’s a strong sense of community. Peopleknow each other, they help each other out, and their children grow up together.

That same sense of community is an essential part of Torquay YMCA Early Learning Centre, which opens this Monday 9 October.

“Joining the Centre is a great opportunity to create something amazing for families and the local community,” says Jess Jablan, the Centre’s early learning director. Geelong born-and-bred Jess heads a team of caring and professional early childhood educators who will help children get to know their local community and spend time outdoors.

Community is also important to Centre cook Dzung (pronounced ‘yoong’) Nguyen, who moved down here from inner city Melbourne a few years ago. “Never having been near Geelong before, initially I was unsure but now I’ve become a kind of unoffi cial ambassador, telling all my Melbourne friends to move here too.”

Dzung is right behind the Centre’s policy of buying all its fresh produce from local Torquay suppliers. “That’s ideal,” she says. “We get the freshest ingredients, and they don’t have to travel far. We’re also keen to involve children in growing foods to use in their meals at the Centre.”

Jess says the Centre will be a great place for children to make new friends. Families will be able to meet families with children of similar ages at the Centre and through the new community hub shared with Torquay North Primary School (interim name) next door, which opens in first term 2018. Being based at the school means children moving from the Centre to the primary school will benefit from a smooth and confident transition.

“Our aim is to become part of the heart of the local Torquay community, helping children grow up with a strong sense of belonging and a love of the natural environment,” she says. “Come and see us in action at our Grand Opening Celebration this Saturday 7 October,” says Jess. “If you’re thinking of moving to the area, why not make a day of it and check out the local real estate as well.”

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