Teesdale and surrounding communities are set to benefit from a Victorian State Government Early Learning and Childcare announcement.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Broadmeadows Kathleen Matthews-Ward announced an extra four Early Learning and Childcare Centres (ELCCs) which are set to open in 2026 at Teesdale in Golden Plains Shire, Mickleham, Toolern Waters and Woolert. These centres add to the 10 sites already due for delivery.
Three of the additional centres will be located at new schools including Mickleham South Primary School, Toolern Waters Primary School and Wollert Andrews Road Primary School (all interim names), with the fourth to be built next to Teesdale Primary School on recently acquired land.
These additional ELCCs will provide more than 450 places for children up to five years old – including both childcare and three-and four-year-old kindergarten services. Each centre will help meet local demand for these vital early learning experiences in places with a shortage of early learning facilities. They will feature dedicated community spaces for programs and services like maternal and child health, allied health, playgroups and/or other child and family services.
For Teesdale and surrounding communities, this is a timely announcement which will ensure ongoing access to childcare and kindergarten services for local families.
The Department of Education is supportive of Council’s services operating in Teesdale and expects that both Teesdale Kindergarten three-and four-year-old programs at the Children’s Centre and Family Day Care program will remain operational as ongoing increasing demand is anticipated. This includes planning for Pre-Prep services.
Council will continue to keep user groups and community updated via social media and Council's website and we encourage families to monitor project updates at the Victorian Schools Building Authority webpage.
Read the Victorian Government's media release here.