New kinder opens at Ballan

THE ribbon has been cut at Ballan’s latest kindergarten facility during its second week of operation.

With 14 children enrolled at the space for 178 young learners, the site, located beside the town’s primary school, was officially opened on Tuesday morning by Member for Eureka Michaela Settle.

The facilities were announced in 2023 and delivered in about October 2024 as part of the State Government’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, and boast three rooms and an outdoor bush playground.

Ms Settle said the new kinder is an important one for Ballan given its expanding community.

“It’s a beautiful town that’s definitely growing,” she said.

“ECKA, who operate this kinder, already operate [Ballan Community Kindergarten] and there is also [Yaluk Burron] by BADAC. Clearly that need is just growing.

“This government recognises the importance of early childhood. Those years are when the children’s minds are absorbing so much and it’s so important to have facilities that encourage them to learn through play.”

The portable facilities were delivered in record time on the back of almost 30 trucks before being loaded into place via a crane.

“[The facilities] are designed now in a way we didn’t do with older kinders,” Ms Settle said.

“There’s the fabulous outdoor space and wonderful decking for the children but also space for the educators, where in so many spaces they don’t have their own tearoom and meeting spaces.”

The kinder’s services are being delivered by the Eureka Community Kindergarten Association, or ECKA, which also operates the Wallace and District Kindergarten.

CEO Jo Geurts said the new site is part of the organisation’s ongoing collaboration with the State Government in streamlining kinder delivery.

“The Best Start, Best Life reforms will provide all children the year before school with 30 hours of kindergarten,” she said.

“It’s important we have the infrastructure in place to do that as well as meeting the growing community needs here.”

Ms Geurts said aside from modern amenities, the site’s proximity to Ballan Primary School is an added benefit.

“This centre is on a primary school site which has a real benefit for the children in their preschool experience into that formal setting,” she said.

“It’ll help children be more familiar with the school but it also allows for collaboration between staff and ensuring that transition is seamless.”