St Arnaud Integrated Early Years Service

Northern Grampians Shire Council currently operates a licensed 90 place Early Learning Centre (ELC) in St Arnaud, delivering sessional kindergarten programs and long day care. The centre is the only childhood education and care service in the area, providing important support to families, employees and the community. One of the key challenges is the unmet demand for long day care services.

 

Two modular buildings have been offered by the State Government to assist with the roll out of pre-prep and accommodate 66 licensed kindergarten places in St Arnaud. The initial recommendation to place the modular building within Market Square was discarded last year and a decision was made to identify an alternative site. Council acknowledges the need to fast track delivery of the kindergarten building whilst planning for an integrated Early Years service that works for the community and accommodates for growth.

 

To enable Northern Grampians Shire Council to provide a cost-effective early learning service model that meets the needs of our community now and into the future, the council is seeking to explore viable options that will achieve this. This includes better engagement with experts and the St Arnaud community.

The council are arranging a community information event on Thursday 18 April from 3-6pm at the St Arnaud Town Hall community meeting room. Community are welcome to come and talk to us about the process and progress. 

 

Stakeholder Reference Group

The SRG met on Tuesday 9 April, which marked a key point in the project. The agenda focused on project objectives, including to identify aspirations for a future integrated early years centre.

To ensure that the project progress remains informed by the perspectives and insights of those it serves, the SRG were briefed on the site selection criteria and timeframes required to enable the new kindergarten buildings to be operational by January 2025.

The group were also briefed on the process of engaging with the community regarding the delivery of a future integrated early years model and advice is being sought from the group regarding delivery of 66 new kindergarten places by January 2025 at the Primary School, verses engage widely on both the future service model and the site.

The SRG will reconvene in the coming weeks to provide their advice, further empowering the council to make informed decisions within the broader framework of the State Government's Best Start, Best Life reforms.

 

 

 

 

 

Project Timeline

Achieved 

  1. Establish a Stakeholder Reference Group to guide the project - February to March 2024

In progress

  1. Undertake demand analysis and review various servicing models - February to May 2024
  2. Assessment of suitable site options - May 2024
  3. Make recommendation to Council - July 2024
  4. Council decision on future integrated service mode - 6 August 2024

Please note that this timeline may be subject to change. 

Contact Us

Location

Northern Grampians Shire Council
40 Napier St
St Arnaud
3478
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Stakeholder Reference Group

Council

Cr Eddy Ostarcevic - Northern Grampians Shire Council Ward Rep.

Cr  Karen Hyslop - Northern Grampians Shire Council Ward Rep.

 

Key Stakeholder Representatives  

Trinity Johns - Principal - St   Patrick's Primary School

Jo Martin  -  Executive Officer - By Five Innovation and Equity Hub

Russell Steele - St Arnaud Community Action Network (SCAN)

Melissa Mitchell - Principal - St Arnaud Primary School

Debbie Moerkerk  - Early Childhood Improvement Manager (DET)

   

Community Members

Russell Marland -  Principal of Stawell Primary School and a resident of St Arnaud.

Emily Gosden -  Teacher at St Arnaud Primary School and has two children that attend the ELC.

Ailsa Sanderson - Chartered Accountant and has one child that attends the ELC.   

Further Information

If you would like more information, please email Project Manager, Simon Coutts at simon.coutts@ngshire.vic.gov.au

 

 

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