Childcare Project Brings Hope with 50 New Jobs and 148 Childcare Places

Childcare Initiative Transforming Warrnambool

Construction has officially begun on a new $7 million childcare centre for Warrnambool, which is set to create 148 new places. After more than three years in the planning, the Bright Start Childcare project is finally underway after clearing the final hurdle to get finance approved. Bright Start Childcare chief executive officer Brent Wilson stated that the project would create 50 new childcare jobs, in addition to those generated during the construction phase.

"The whole project is about $7 million, injecting significant funds into the local building community," Mr. Wilson noted. In June, he announced that Warrnambool builder Lee Haberfield of Modus Construction would be overseeing the creation of the new centre on the corner of Aberline and Dales Road, commencing this week.

"In 12 months' time we’ll be opening the doors to a 148-place state of the art brand new childcare centre," Mr. Wilson expressed. “It’s surreal to see this become a reality after a long journey. This centre aims to alleviate the critical childcare crisis our community faces.”

Already, approximately 57 families have shown interest in securing a place. “Once the centre opens, we believe even more families will realize this is a genuine opportunity, not just a thought,” he added with optimism.

After facing ballooning construction costs requiring a redesign, funding is now secured and construction efforts are in full swing. "It’s all hands on deck from here," Mr. Wilson asserted, highlighting plans for the facility catering to children from six weeks to six years old with programs for three and four-year-olds.

The childcare crisis in Warrnambool has reached alarming levels, with waiting lists swelling to as much as 400. To further enhance community support, there are plans to transform adjacent land into affordable housing, with approvals for 16 townhouses.