Cash boost for kids centre

STAFF at the Yaluk Burron Early Learning Centre in Ballan are celebrating after receiving $600,000 from the Federal Government’s Community Child Care Fund.

It’s expected that the funding will support one hundred enrolment places for local children so they can access early learning services in the critical first five years of their life when most of the brain’s development occurs.

On a recent visit to the centre alongside Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly, Federal Member for Hawke Sam Rae said the investment means more local jobs and that and more residents will be able to join the workforce in the region.

“It is wonderful to see how this new service is benefiting local children, while also giving their families more choice when it comes to increasing hours of work or education,” he said.

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative operates the centre and general manager of early childhood at BADAC, Casey Brown, said her organisation is appreciative of the support provided by the CCCF program.

“This has enabled us to continue to provide high quality care and education for our community’s children and expand upon our services to Ballan and surrounds,” she said.

“We are proud to announce that Yaluk Burron has successfully established a service that is affordable, high quality and Culturally safe and welcoming for our young children and families.”

The $614.7 million CCCF program provides support to over 900 services, with about 70 percent of that money going to regional and remote communities.