The Lake Bolac and Surrounds Childcare Demand and Feasibility Study Final Report was presented to Ararat Rural City Councillors at the Council meeting held on Tuesday 30 April 2024.
The Study was initiated by the Ararat Rural City Council, to investigate the challenges presented during previous efforts to secure adequate childcare for Lake Bolac and the surrounding community.
A summary of the findings and learnings are provided below:
- The demand for (and existing gaps within) early childhood education and care in Lake Bolac and its surrounds is more than sufficient to support the establishment of a profitable new centre.
- The optimal location for a new childcare centre sits on existing Council-owned land, and within close proximity to the Lake Bolac P-12 College and Lake Bolac & District Kindergarten.
- The new childcare centre should be built to accommodate capacity beyond the demand uncovered by this Feasibility Study. This will future-proof capital investment and cater to potential growth in local population, along with its associated increased demand for childcare options.
- A key challenge to the project will be securing the necessary early childhood education and care workforce to run the new centre. The new centre would gain greater likelihood of long-term success and viability with a demonstrated track record, and reputation for delivering quality, long day care services and the ability to attract, develop and retain staff locally.
Council is continuing to work with private and not-for-profit sectors to deliver the much-needed new childcare centre in Lake Bolac.
“We’ve previously been able to confirm that there is enough demand for a viable childcare centre in Lake Bolac,” says Dr Tim Harrison, CEO of Ararat Rural City Council. “We now have a suitable site endorsed in the Lake Bolac Education Precinct.”
“We will continue working with the local early childhood education and care sector, the Department of Education and the new provider once they are confirmed, to resolve these workforce shortage issues.”