$1.65 million upgrade complete at Rowan View Children’s Centre

A Wendouree children's facility will once again be filled with young people learning after a substantial refurbishment carried out by the City of Ballarat.

The $1.65 million refurbishment of the Rowan View Children’s Centre (formerly Rowan View Kindergarten) has now been completed and applications are now being accepted for enrolment in 2024.

The Forest Street facility will deliver free three and four-year-old kindergarten commencing in January 2024, as well as a specialised referral-only childcare program.

The refurbishment of this facility will ensure the City of Ballarat has the appropriate infrastructure to operate education and care services in a suburb with a high level of vulnerability.  

The works that have been carried out include full internal refurbishment providing three fit for purpose early years learning rooms, staff planning spaces and a welcoming family area and meeting room.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson toured the facility on Thursday and said it was remarkable to see the changes that had been made.

“The centre has been given a new breath of life and it’s heartening to see how much it has improved,” he said.

“We are proud to be a part of a genuine education precinct set up in Forest Street, with the State Government primary and secondary schools on the same street. It’s an area where families can transition between services from three-year-old kinder through to Year 12.

“I can’t wait to see the facility become a hive of activity once again.”

The City of Ballarat Municipal Early Years Plan 2022–2026 shows that 20 per cent of Ballarat’s population is aged 14 and younger.

It also showed Wendouree experienced the highest degree of disadvantaged households, making refurbishments such as the one at Rowan View even more vital.

Priorities outlined in the report include ensuring:

• Children and families are supported through key transitions including to kindergarten and school and;
• All children have access to quality early learning, kindergarten and schooling that meets their needs.

The $1.65 million Rowan View Children’s Centre project demonstrates that the City of Ballarat is committed to Delivering a Better Ballarat.