General News
7 September, 2025
Council to transfer kinder services to Emerge
After undertaking extensive community consultation, Yarriambiack Shire Council will transfer their last three kindergarten services in Minyip, Rupanyup and Warracknabeal to Emerge Early Years.
Councillors unanimously approved the recommendation to transfer during the council's recent monthly meeting.
"I'd just like to highlight that there has been a lengthy consultation process with the community and that Emerge has always been and is a leader within the early year services," Yarriambiack Shire mayor Kylie Zanker said.
"I do actually think too that transition across for those kindergartens and for the staff and the parents will be a really positive one.
"I look forward to seeing that partnership with Emerge unfold going forward."
During the community consultation process, which began on July 28, information sessions were held for current and prospective families in 2026 in Warracknabeal and Rupanyup.
Additional drop-in sessions were also provided for families to meet with and discuss the transition with the Manager of Early Years and Transition.
Additionally, families could submit their thoughts through the 'Have Your Say' section on the council's website.
This saw four submissions.
Emerge confirmed that there are no planned changes to staff or hours for 2026, with the individuality of each service, including uniforms, remaining the same.
The transition is expected to occur in a staged approach, starting with Rupanyup and Minyip as the first two centres to transition, followed by Warracknabeal.
There is an aim for all centres to be transitioned by the end of 2025.
Sites in Beulah and Hopetoun were transitioned to Emerge in March 2025 after the council relinquished its license to operate kindergarten services.
Emerge entered into a lease and service agreement for the next five years to provide kindergarten and long day care services from the Hopetoun Early Years building.
The Beulah Kindergarten service operates from the Beulah Primary School, and a user agreement has been established between Emerge and the school.
At the end of 2024, the Murtoa Kindergarten closed, and Early Learning Victoria opened the new Murtoa Bani Walup Early Years Centre, which incorporates extended daycare and kindergarten services.