Billy Button Children’s Centre officially opens in Footscray

A new early childhood education and care (ECEC) service has been officially opened in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray, named in honour of the native yellow flowers that grew in the area, and the creek that once flowed through the suburb.

The Centre was officially opened late last week by Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Early Childhood and Mayor, Councillor Anthony Tran and Katie Hall MP Member for Footscray.

Construction of the state-of-the-art Billy Button Children’s Centre was jointly funded by Maribyrnong City Council and the State Government, and offers three and four-year-old kindergarten programs along with long day care and maternal and child health services. 

In close proximity to Footscray City Primary School, Billy Button began welcoming families at the start of Term Two in April this year, with a range of interactive play spaces to support learning, development and creative exploration, including indoor class rooms, and outdoor gardens and play areas.

The service forms part of the $110 million dollar Footscray Learning Precinct, which incorporates Footscray City Primary School, Footscray High School and partners Maribyrnong City Council and Victoria University, with funding support from the Victorian Government.

The precinct links, expands and upgrades schools across Melbourne’s inner west and integrates learning at all levels, from early childhood to university. It also celebrates the richness and diversity of the community, along with providing excellence in teaching and delivering interactive opportunities for learning across all stages of education.

Billy Button Children’s Centre was built to replace an outdated single room kindergarten that had operated on the site for over 60 years. Billy Button flowers have been incorporated into the building design, with large yellow flower artworks radiating across the playground and walkways.

For more information and to register for three and four-year-old kindergarten, long day care and maternal and child health services at Billy Button Children’s Centre, visit maribyrnong.vic.gov.au