Council is currently working on developing a Family Centre for Hurstbridge.  This is being made possible by funds from, Council and the State and Federal Governments.

While the project is still in its early days the aim of a Family Centre in Hurstbridge is to create an early learning and care facility that provides long day care, occasional care together with Maternal and Child Health and additional allied health services and family support programs, accommodating current and future community needs.

The pre-school programs will continue to operate from the existing Hurstbridge and Ferguson Park Pre-schools thus creating a 'walkable' community precinct.

At the Hurstbridge Family Centre, your young family will be supported throughout these very special first years.

How did the Hurstbridge Family Centre come about?

The Australian Government announced investment in 38 additional early learning and care centres across Australia in the lead up to the 2007 election. Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Federal Member for Jaga Jaga made a pre-election commitment to provide funding for an Early Learning and Care Centre in Hurstbridge. This announcement, coupled with the recent pledge from the Victorian Government will allow the development of this new family centre in Hurstbridge.

The Australian and Victorian Governments have developed a number of policy reforms in the early years sector. The agenda of both governments is to provide families with high-quality, accessible and affordable integrated early childhood education and child care.

Current early years services in Hurstbridge

Currently there are no long day or occasional care services in Hurstbridge. Hurstbridge has two highly regarded preschools providing quality programs for Hurstbridge families – Ferguson Park Preschool and Hurstbridge Preschool – a maternal and child health service, family day carers and two playgroups operating from different sites.

The next step…

A Project Steering Committee was eastablished to assist Council in decision making by providing support and guidance advice in the which supports and guides the development of the new facility. 

Nillumbik Shire Council will now concentrate on developing a plan to extend the existing community facilities at the former Hurstbridge Secondary School site to create the new family centre for Hurstbridge.

This means that the two existing pre-schools will stay in their current location and that they now have certainty over their future.

Whilst it would have been nice to have brand new facilities for Hurstbridge this is a good compromise which means that the residents of Hurstbridge will still have access to child and maternity services, long day care and pre-school programs.”

Council is close to finalising the purchase of the Hurstbridge Secondary College and while we are able to start making plans there is still some way to go before a family centre in Hurstbridge becomes a reality.”

This has been a lengthy process for residents as we have been trying to identify the right location and design possible with the funds available to ensure the best result for all.

Questions?

If you would like more information about the Hurstbridge Family Centre, visit www.nillumbikfamilies.com . To find out more about the roles and responsibilities of the Project Steering Committee, or for general enquiries, contact Nichole Johnson, Community Services Strategic Project Coordinator, on 9433 3134 or via hurstbridgefamilycentre@nillumbik.vic.gov.au .