Future Cohuna child care options identified

Published on 17 February 2023

A Gannawarra Shire Council-commissioned report recommends the creation of an Early Learning Centre at the Cohuna Consolidated School that will provide child care places and support the rollout of the State Government’s Pre-Prep program.

The recommendation is the key finding from the Exploring Care and Education in Cohuna Final Report, presented to Councillors at the February 2023 Council Meeting.

Developed thanks to funding from the State Government’s Building Blocks Planning Program, the report focused on identifying options that could create additional child care places for Cohuna and district residents.

“Council is pleased to have worked with the organisers of a community-led campaign calling for Long Day Care options for Cohuna and district, which resulted in the development of this report,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“Significant local engagement assisted in the development of this document, including interviews with parents, schools, health services, local businesses and a survey, which received 269 responses.”

To overcome the growing need for Long Day Care and the 2025 rollout of the Pre-Prep program, which will be providing access for every four-year-old child in Victoria up to 30-hours per week play-based learning for 40 weeks of the year, it is recommended an Early Learning Centre be constructed at Cohuna Consolidated School.

The centre would feature two kindergarten/child care rooms able to cater for 33 children, a dedicated 16-place child care room, a Maternal and Child Health consulting room and a 15-place room for supported playgroups, professional consultations and meetings.

“The report’s author found that Cohuna Consolidated School was the ideal location due to the large number of spaces available, with other areas, such as the current kinder site, St Mary’s Primary School and a block of land at Westbrook Street ruled out due to size and location,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Council looks forward to working with Cohuna Consolidated School, the community and the State Government to make this project a reality, which will benefit current and future families.”