The Allan Labor Government is getting on with reforming early childhood education to give every Victorian
child the best start for the best life – with Wedderburn College set to be the site of one of the 50
government-owned and operated childcare centres that will create thousands of extra places for children
across the state.

Member for Ripon Martha Haylett today joined Principal Danny Forrest and local parents at Wedderburn
College to announce that after a passionate community-led campaign, Wedderburn will soon have a
government-owned and operated childcare centre on the school site.

With places for kids across childcare and three and four-year-old kinder across the state, Wedderburn
College’s brand-new childcare centre will open in 2026 and, where possible, will have space for facilities
for critical services like Maternal and Child Health.

Other new childcare centres opening in 2026 across the state will be located at Clunes Primary School,
Hallam Primary School, Harrisfield Primary School, Kings Park Primary School, McClelland Secondary
College, Numurkah Primary School, Portland South Primary School, Wedderburn College, Wilmot Road
Primary School, and Wyndham Park Primary School.

A further 20 new childcare locations opening in 2027 and 2028 will be in Alexandra, Avoca, Bendigo South,
Casterton, Churchill, Cohuna, Craigieburn, Cranbourne, Drouin, Hamilton, Maffra and District, Melton
West, Mickleham, Newborough, Nicholson and District, Roxburgh Park, Warrnambool, Wollert,
Wonthaggi–Inverloch, and Woori Yallock.

Where possible, these 20 centres will be located at or alongside government schools, hospitals, TAFEs, and
other major employers, making childcare more accessible and convenient – as well as affordable – for busy
families.

The first four government-owned childcare centres are set to open in 2025 at Moomba Park Primary
School, as well as Eaglehawk North Primary School, Murtoa College, and Sunshine Primary School.

The rollout of Victoria’s childcare centres builds on the work the Labor Government has already done to
reform the early education system, so it works for Victorian families – giving children a fantastic start to
their education, saving busy families time and money, and giving parents the opportunity to get back towork or study earlier if they want.

The Labor Government has already introduced universal three-year-old kinder, made both three- and fouryear
old kinder free for every Victorian child, and invested more than $2.7 billion in infrastructure to make
sure facilities in every corner of Victoria are modern, fit-for-purpose and support our children to grow and learn.

To find out more about the new childcare centres, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/50-childcare-centresvictoria.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“This is a game-changer for Wedderburn – and it’s the result of passionate community-led campaigning
from families who currently have no childcare options in the area. I’m so proud to be part of a government
that is delivering the community’s first dedicated childcare centre in 2026.”

“We’re making sure more Victorian parents can get back to work when they want to, removing the stress
they face in constantly searching for childcare – and most importantly, making sure kids are getting the
critical early education they need for the best start in life.”