Leongatha Early Learning Centre opens in South Gippsland Shire

Leongatha Early Learning Centre (ELC) in the South Gippsland region of Victoria is now officially opened having overcome challenges in obtaining materials and staffing issues affecting the construction industry.

A celebration to welcome the service to the community was recently held, attended by community members, kinder attendees, parents, staff, South Gippsland Shire councillors and State Government representatives.

Leongatha is managed by the long-running Leongatha Children’s Centre Incorporated, which operates nearby, and caters to kindergarten students as well as babies and toddlers.

Children’s Centre Director Paula Holt has been part of the organisation for 22 years, originally working in the kindergarten before moving into her present role, and is delighted to have the ELC in service to help meet increased demand for kindergarten and childcare places.

“We offer free kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds, this year or for 2024,” she explained.

The space received high praise from those in attendance, with Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Katie Hall saying: “I see a lot of kindergartens and this is a magnificent centre.” 

She was particularly impressed with the sleeping space for the children, as well as the bright and vibrant play spaces.

General board member Pip Littlejohn said she is delighted to see the ELC open, also being the mother of Millie and Henry O’Halloran who will soon both attend the centre.

Eight-month-old Henry will start in the baby section of the ELC in September, with two-and-a-half-year-old Millie joining three-year-old kinder at the centre next year.

“We’re so excited and there’s been a lot of hard work from Paula and her team,” Ms  Littlejohn said, also noting the committed efforts of those at South Gippsland Shire Council to bring the project to life.

Maddie Dowel will lead the service, and said she is currently working through a waiting list in order to prioritise care, with the new centre to prove crucial in accommodating many more families as services continue to expand over the next few years.

Learn more about Leongatha Early Learning Centre here.