Nurture One Early Learning Centre reopened its doors on Monday, March 21, after its closure last year to repair flood damage.
Families were greeted with welcome packs for the children, lots of fun activities and a visit from the local coffee van.
Centre Manager, Rachael O’Neill says she and her staff were absolutely thrilled the centred had reopened.
“I acknowledge how difficult this journey has been on many local families and we are so excited to be welcoming back so many familiar faces.
“Our Nurture One Early Learning Centre will focus on a strong learning program with qualified, long serving, and familiar educators in a safe and stimulating childcare environment.
“Our children will love our newly renovated playground and yards and brand-new resources throughout.
"We’re ready to reset and get moving on making 2022 a brilliant year for our children, families and team members.”
Closure
The Nurture One centre initially closed in October 2021, but the temporary closure then blew out to three months, leaving families scrambling to find alternative childcare options.
At the time, parents were assured the remedial works required after the centre was flooded would take three months and the centre would reopen in January.
However, in January families were told the reopening date had been pushed back to March, leaving some families without childcare options for six months.
“We were offered a place at Phillip Island Early Learning Centre for four year old kinder which I declined because I was told Nurture One would be reopening in mid-January, “ one parent told the Advertiser.
“If they had told us the truth – that they were very unlikely to reopen in January, I would have accepted the spot offered at PIELC.”
At the time, a spokesperson for G8 Education, the company that runs Nurture One said gaining approvals for the necessary repairs and navigating delays to supplies due to Covid, had contributed to the longer than anticipated closure.
Plans to provide care at an alternative facility also did not eventuate.
The spokesperson told the Advertiser they “explored every possible temporary location with local and state authorities, however all failed to meet regulatory and health and safety requirements”.
G8 did offer alternative childcare places to families at their centres in Wonthaggi and Leongatha, but the distance meant this was not a practical solution for many families.
To register for a tour, families are invited to contact the centre’s Family Care Team on 1800 517 027.