“These four projects will create up to 215 new childcare places across Carlton, North Melbourne and City North,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our city welcomed an additional 6800 residents last year and demand for childcare places is continuing to rise. It’s important that we keep meeting this demand to cater for families and ensure our young people get the best start in life.
“Our investment will help to expand services in the areas where we are experiencing the largest growth. It will help ensure more families are able to access high quality and affordable early education and care.”
Council is making the following investments:
• $4.9 million towards the development of an integrated family and children’s service incorporating the Central Carlton Children’s Centre into the Carlton Primary School
• $8.6 million redevelopment of Lady Huntingfield Children’s Centre in North Melbourne
• $1.6 million upgrade to Hotham Hub Children’s Centre in North Melbourne
• a 120 place child and family services centre as part of the Munro development next to the Queen Victoria Market.
Council is working with the Victorian Government, Carlton Primary School, the Colman Foundation and the University of Melbourne on developing a 0 to12 year old education precinct on the Carlton Primary School site.
Council currently offers early education and care places at Melbourne City Child Care Centre, Hotham Hub Children’s Centre, Lady Huntingfield Children’s Centre, North Melbourne Children’s Centre, Central Carlton Children’s Centre.
Council has secured a $1.6 million grant from the Department of Education towards redeveloping Lady Huntingfield into an integrated family and children’s centre accommodating 106 places in addition to the expansion of Hotham Hub Children’s Centre to 100 places.
Chair of the City of Melbourne’s People City Portfolio Cr Richard Foster said the new Lady Huntingfield centre is expected to open in 2019.
“This investment will allow us to continue the 77 year history of childcare that has taken place at the Lady Huntingfield site,’ Cr Foster said.
“We are proud of the exceptional quality of the family and children’s services we deliver. The move towards community hubs allows for the integration of services such as maternal and child health, family support, counselling and early education and care into one location.”