A centre located on Howitt Street in Soldiers Hill is expected to open at the start of May, while another centre on Albert Street in Sebastopol will be in operation several weeks later.

Andrew Ferguson of Bentley Property Group – the developer of the properties – said there had been strong interest in the early childhood centres.

“There is a growing need for quality child care in Soldiers Hill and Sebastopol,” Mr Ferguson said. 

“The new architecturally designed centres have a big appeal for both employees and families. They are light and bright with plenty of space both inside and out.”

The child care centres have already provided major benefits to the Ballarat community for trades during construction. Each centre is set now to employ between 20 and 30 carers.

“A wide range of age groups are currently being interviewed for positions in child care. It’s a great outcome for our local workforce,” Mr Ferguson said.

Family-owned Oxanda Education will operate the Howitt Street centre, which will be named Bluebird Soldiers Hill. It will offer 118 places for children aged from 0 to five years.

The company said there had been a steady expression of interest from families and it had a healthy pre-enrolment waiting list with places filling quickly. 

Oxanda Education executive director Darren Misquitta said the company was delighted and honoured to be a part of the Soldiers Hill community.

He said they looked forward to playing a fundamental and positive role for the community.

“Soldiers Hill is a vibrant town and we very much look forward to building relationships with our families, providing job opportunities for the town, and being an integral part of the community,” Mr Misquitta said.

“We look forward to welcoming local families into Bluebird Soldiers Hill , and partnering with you to create the most wonderful opportunities, experiences and life skills that will benefit your children through school and beyond."

Lauree Watson will manage Bluebird Soldiers Hill. The operator of the Sebastopol centre wished to speak to The Courier closer to its opening date.

Ballarat’s Q Construction is building both the centres.