New kids centre to go ahead

A $3.5 million Waurn Ponds early learning centre — tipped to create 50 jobs — will open in January, despite claims of battling the Department of Education and Training for approval.

Next Steps director Patricia McLean first applied for a provider licence to operate the new facility in June, but was held up by the State Government for three months.

After claims of being “repeatedly ignored”, Ms McLean vented her frustrations to South Barwon MP Andrew Katos, who last week called for a resolution in Parliament.

Following Mr Katos’s stand in Parliament, Ms McLean’s application was approved — paving the way for the seven-classroom facility to open.

“It’s a much-needed facility when you consider the growth that is happening in the southern suburbs,” Mr Katos said.

“It’s going to generate 50odd jobs, and yet the Government was dragging its heels.

“Coincidentally, the next day after I mentioned it in Parliament, they issued the licence.”

The facility will be privately funded and accommodate up to 158 children.

“Not a cent of government money is going into this,” the MP said.

Ms McLean said the decision to bring the centre to Geelong came after reports of families being dissatisfied with current services.

“According to our focus groups and council reports, families are stuck on waiting lists (and) unhappy with poor standards,” she said.

“The DET have their process to follow and after exceeding their own KPI of 60 days, we were grateful for the support of Andrew Katos.

“We have very high expectations for service delivery and invite families who share this vision to join us.”

It is believed the centre will charge a fee of $110 per day, before benefits and rebates are applied.