New Family Day Care for Rupanyup

A family day care (FDC) service will open at Dunmunkle Community Library Precinct in the regional Victorian community of Rupanyup, with Yarriambiack Shire councillors unanimously approving it at their March meeting.

The recommended motion to endorse the licence agreement between council and Lil Bears Family Daycare, which included a deemed paid annual fee of $1 plus GST, was moved by Cr Melinda Keel.

Lil Bears Family Day Care is currently awaiting final approval from the Victorian Department of Education to operate an in-venue licenced FDC service from the building, with approval expected within the next month.

Rupanyup, Mayor Kylie Zanker explained, has historically had no access to formal FDC or in-venue care services, something which has been challenging for families. A need for early childhood education and care (ECEC) options in the community was identified during the community consultation stage of the precinct’s redevelopment.

“Council recognises the demand for daycare services in many towns within the shire, with Rupanyup being no exception,” she shared with local news source The Weekly Advertiser.

The council offices and library building were upgraded to become the Dunmunkle Community Library Precinct, a setting which currently houses the library and Rupanyup Historical Society. 

Building redevelopments and refurbishments include an updated library, dedicated early years area, offices, meeting rooms, kitchenettes, storage and bathroom facilities. The outdoor areas were also upgraded to include an enclosed children’s play area. 

“Any form of daycare anywhere is vital, so this is going to be a great asset for the Rupanyup community,” Cr Keel said.

The council has put measures in place to ensure child safety including working closely with the in-venue care provider and the historical society, as well as looking at  library protocols to ensure there’s no crossover between users of the distinct precinct spaces.

Library patrons and FDC users have separate access points to the building, and the historical society has separate hours. The historical society will also enter into an agreement to continue to use the building for storage, research and meetings, including the use of the building’s vault to preserve documents and items.

The community will be notified once the service is approved, and enrolments are being taken.  Read the original coverage of this story here.