Important Update: Centre Reopening on 30th May
Please note that the below information pertains to our temporary closure. We are happy to announce that our centre will be reopening on 30th May after successful repairs were carried out. Our centre is now safe and ready for our children, staff, and families to attend.
We are booking in tours and taking enquiries, so visit our contact page to secure your child’s place at our beautiful centre.
Ballarat North Temporary Closure Information
Ballarat North Early Learning Centre will temporarily close to complete necessary and urgent repairs, after suffering severe storm damage on the 5th and 28th of January 2022.
Due to the urgency of the work, the centre’s final day of operation will be Friday 11th February 2022.
“Our priority at all times is the safety and comfort of our children and families,” Nadine Ross, Head of Operations at childcare management company, Imagine Education Group, said.
“On consultation with a hygienist, there is extensive work that needs to be urgently completed to ensure our building is thoroughly repaired and safe for the children to return,” Mrs Ross said.
Remediation repairs and replacement of damaged contents are expected to take an estimated two months to complete, with confirmation from the centre’s insurer that the entire centre will need to close to complete these works safely.
“Our families are so precious to us, and our aim is to assist them in any way we can,” Mrs Ross said.
“Families at the centre were informed of the temporary closure via letter on Friday 4th February 2022, and we are working closely with the centre to ensure all of our families and staff are supported during this time.
“To minimise disruption and inconvenience for our children and families, we have begun the process of reaching out to other early learning centres within our community, to see if they can provide emergency care and have the capacity to temporarily take enrolments to assist with replacing our families whilst the repairs are underway.
“We have also reached out to the Department of Education Quality Assessment and Regulation Division for additional support and guidance, as well as the City of Ballarat.
“It is vital that we ensure our building is thoroughly repaired and safe for children to return,” Mrs Ross said.
The estimated closure time of two months will be refined as contractors are engaged.
Mrs Ross said families will be provided regular updates on the centre’s website, Facebook page, and via email communication to improve certainty around reopening.
During the storms, the centre received ankle deep water.
Work recommended by the hygienist includes removing all skirting boards, door frames including jambs, and plasterboard throughout the facility to a height of 300-450mm.