General News
28 March, 2025
Warrack's new kinder facility officially open
The new Warracknabeal Memorial Kindergarten building was officially opened last week by Yarriambiack mayor Kylie Zanker, marking the completion of a vital project that will increase infrastructure capacity to deliver kindergarten programs for three- and four-year-old children.
Parents and families of past and present Warracknabeal Kindergarten students, councillors, council staff and, Emerge Early Years Services CEO Elicia Napoli were invited to attend the opening.
Since 2020 the project has been in development due to inadequate facilities available for three-year-old kindergarten and spaces for meetings and allied health visits at a single site.
Three-year-old kindergarten has been temporarily operating out of the Wheatlands District Church Early Years room since 2022 to ensure the services could continue to run with extended hours.
Alongside the shire contribution, $1.15 million in funding was received as part of the Building Blocks Funding from the Department of Education and Training, resulting in a $1.60 million project.
"I am delighted to announce that the new Warracknabeal Kindergarten building is now available for use by both staff and families and has been utilised from the beginning of term one 2025," Cr Zanker said.
The project was carried out to increase infrastructure capacity to deliver kindergarten programs for three- and four-year-old children, improve access to local and responsive early childhood services for children from vulnerable and/or disadvantaged families, and establish early childhood infrastructure on or near school sites.
It also promotes integrated service delivery at one location, allowing families to access childhood education and care, health and development, and family services.
"The picturesque backdrop of the native creek lands, trees and wildlife is such a wonderful inclusion to this learning space and I have to admit I’m a little envious of the opportunity the three-year-old kindergarten children have," Cr Zanker said.
"They have an outdoor play area that draws children in to explore, experiment and build on the open spaces, as well as opportunities to extend their play.
"It is indeed an honour to be able to officially open the Wattle Room with the knowledge that the children will be learning within a building that is dedicated to their learning and needs, creating engaging areas and spaces that offer opening end play and learning opportunities."