Work starts on Highton Early Learning Centre

WORKS have started on the new $5.5 million Highton Early Learning Centre.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos joined City of Greater Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood last month to officially mark the start of construction.

The building will have a five Green Star rating and will be located on the bottom oval of the Bellaire Primary School on Belle Vue Avenue.

It will include a double room kindergarten licensed for 66 children, maternal Child Health consulting suite with two consulting rooms, and multi-purpose room for group based programs such as playgroups and parenting programs.

The centre will also have playgrounds and outdoor areas with deep verandahs for all-weather use, a large central foyer and gathering place, an interview room and shared staff amenities, and off-street car parking.

It will replace the nearby Highton Kindergarten which has outgrown the existing building over the past 60 years.

The centre is being funded by the City of Greater Geelong ($3.9 million) and the state government ($1.6 million).

“I know the Highton community will be very happy to see works getting underway on their brand new early learning centre,” Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“Highton has the largest population of children aged between birth and four years of any single suburb within the City of Greater Geelong, so there is strong demand for this community facility.

“The Highton Early Learning Centre is the latest of five new integrated early childhood facilities in various stages of design and development across the municipality.

“With our booming population, it’s so important that local families can easily access children’s services.”