General News
18 March, 2024
Child centre to close
Families have been left shocked by news of the closure of Hopetoun Uniting Early Learning Centre.
Families have been left shocked by news of the closure of Hopetoun Uniting Early Learning Centre.
The centre will close its doors for an unspecified period owing to a lack of staff.
Families were notified of the closure this week, with the centre closing its doors from Monday, April 1.
Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor Kylie Zanker said despite the dedication of Uniting staff to attract suitable candidates, the organisation had been unable to fill crucial positions.
“This situation is further complicated by a widespread shortage of certified professionals
holding either Certificate III or Diploma qualifications in Early Childhood Education and
Care," Cr Zanker said.
“The rural location of Hopetoun compounds the difficulty in recruitment efforts.
"The geographical challenges faced by rural communities make it inherently challenging to compete for qualified professionals, especially when contending with similar shortages
in large regional centres and metropolitan areas."
Uniting has acknowledged the impact of the closure on the families and expressed regret for any inconvenience.
The organisation said it remained committed to finding a viable solution to continue operations at the earliest opportunity.
Cr Zanker encouraged qualified Early Childhood professionals, both locally and beyond, to consider joining the team at Hopetoun Uniting Early Learning Centre.
“I strongly encourage individuals with a Certificate III, Diploma, or working towards a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care to reach out to Kate Farlow, Program Manager for Western Victoria at Uniting Wimmera, and discuss the job opportunity," she said.