General News
8 July, 2025
Learning Centre construction underway
Young families in Clunes will soon have access to one of the state’s 50 the new Early Learning Centres, thanks to the Victorian Government’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett met with Ben Sweeney, coordinator of early education services at Central Goldfields Shire Council, Anne Gawith from the Education Department, and Clunes Primary School principal Sonia Jardine last Thursday to officially turn the site’s soil and declare the project underway.
Currently known by it’s interim name, Early Learning Victoria, Clunes will be a Victorian Government owned childcare centre run by Early Learning Victoria.
The centre will provide long day care plus three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs with space for up to 102 local children each day.
The new Early Learning Centre will have outdoor play areas, a maternal and child health consulting room, and a car park. It will also have a community room for meetings and playgroup.
Located on Paddock Street, the new centre will be situated next to Clunes Primary School.
The kindergarten has been strategically positioned close to the school to support children to get the most out of their early learning, make drop-off more convenient for busy parents and carers, and help with a smoother transition to primary school.
The project is still on time with building completion expected in late 2025, ahead of the centre opening in 2026.
“The brand-new Clunes Early Leaning Centre will give local kids the very best start in life,” Ms Haylett said.
This centre will also charge fees below local market rates, making childcare more affordable for families.
“It will also save families up to $2600 per child each year with more free kinder hours available. It’s a win-win for our community,” Ms Haylett said.
The State Government is investing billions to build and expand hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting the delivery of 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of pre-prep each week by 2036.
With the Best Start, Best Life reforms, the State Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents and carers to return to work or study if they choose.