News Alert |

What’s a birthday without a celebration?  

The City of Ballarat’s Occasional Child Care will celebrate its 30th birthday this week with a party, dress-ups, face painting and a birthday cake. 

While this party celebrates three decades of a vital service for Ballarat families, it also marks a new era – this much-loved service is relocating to a new purpose-built space adjoining the Girrabanya Children’s Centre. 

The new Girrabanya Integrated Children’s Centre will provide a new home for occasional care services (offering 23 licenced places), and provide long-day care, occasional care and maternal and child health services to support education, care and the health needs of Ballarat families. 

The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year. The State Government has fully-funded this $1.25 million project. 

First built in 1988 to provide short-term, respite, take-a-break care for non-working parents, Occasional Child Care provides an alternative, flexible service without the cost of a permanent child care booking.    

Occasional Child Care provides education and care to an average of about 85 children each week, from birth to five years old, and operates under the same national regulations and quality standards as long day care centres. Care is available from two hours to a full day or week. Bookings are available on the day, places permitting, or up to three weeks in advance. 

All up, the City of Ballarat’s Children’s Services have been operating for more than 125 years in 2018. 

Next month, a special event will be held to celebrate the history of the City of Ballarat’s Children’s Services, during Children’s Week from October 20-28. All centres will open their doors to the public on the morning of Saturday 20 October, followed with a fun family afternoon at the Inclusive Play Space at Victoria Park. 

The City of Ballarat is a Child Friendly City that is committed to providing high quality services and facilities for all Ballarat residents, including children and families.