Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Childcare Centre, Minlaton, has reached the final stages of construction, with builder Romaldi Constructions soon expected to issue certificate of occupancy.

This is a major milestone for the purpose-built facility, which will operate as Minlaton Family Centre.

Minlaton Family Centre will soon commence scheduling of family orientations ahead of a new target opening date during term two.

Yorke Peninsula Council and operator Yorke Peninsula Learning and Care, which also runs Maitland Family Centre, had originally planned to open Minlaton Family Centre in term one. However, the project has encountered unforeseen construction delays beyond the control of either party.

“Completion of the build is taking longer than expected, and we thank all parties, especially our local parents, for their understanding,” Council CEO Andrew Cameron said.

“Council has been in regular communication with the builder and the project superintendent throughout this major project, and has escalated its involvement across many months now to ensure construction is finished as soon as practicably possible.

“We have been told the project is on track for the revised opening date during term two.

“While this is later than originally hoped, this facility will provide life-changing services for local families for many years to come.

“The community support for this project has been outstanding, diluting any frustrations we may be feeling about the protracted delivery of the project.

“We very much look forward to seeing all those smiling faces on the children who enter the building on opening day.”

Remaining aspects of the Minlaton Family Centre build generally relate to external aspects, such as playground areas and boundary fencing.

Yorke Peninsula Learning and Care already employs 49 staff across Maitland and Minlaton, not including management. Almost 30 staff members are studying, or enrolled in, Certificate III or higher in Early Childhood Education.

The Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Childcare Centre project was developed through a partnership between Council and the SYP Childcare Feasibility Group, led by local parents.

Through the initiative, a disused building in Maitland has been renovated and reopened as Maitland Family Centre, offering 40 childcare places. At full operation, Minlaton Family Centre will create 80 places, equating to 120 additional children in care each day.

This represents a major increase from just 18 places that were available per day in the Yorke Peninsula Council region previously.

The Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Childcare Centre has been funded through the Federal Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.

Enrol your child/ren at Maitland or Minlaton, or find out more information, via Home – Yorke Peninsula Learning & Care (yorkepeninsulalearningandcare.au) or call (08) 7524 0341.