General News
5 August, 2025
Feedback sought on kinder services transfer
The Yarriambiack Shire Council is inviting feedback from the community on the proposed transfer of their remaining three kindergarten services at Rupanyup, Minyip, and Warracknabeal to Emerge Early Years Services.
Council's chief executive, Tammy Smith, said that the council would continue to support Emerge in providing services.
"However, council would no longer be the front-facing organisation managing the day-to-day operations and quality assurance of the centres," she said.
"Early childhood education and care is a specialised service, and as a small rural shire, we recognise we do not have the technical expertise to provide the oversight and quality assurance required to manage services going forward.
"We have a highly reputable, specialist provider located within the Wimmera Southern Mallee, who has the skills and expertise to ensure high-quality education and care is provided in our shire.
"Council would continue to support Emerge by providing buildings, grants and funding support, and assistance with grounds works as a minimum."
Yarriambiack has been working in partnership with Emerge since October 2024, where Emerge has been engaged to provide direct management support and oversight of the council's early years centres.
"This partnership has been a highly functioning and supportive alliance, and we look forward to working with Emerge now and into the future," Mrs Smith said.
Emerge's role as a cluster manager for our Kindergartens benefits the community, staff, and region. They also provide childcare focused on high-quality education and care.
"Emerge operates reputable services in Horsham, Hindmarsh, and parts of Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack Shire."
"In a larger cluster management model, economy of scale can be achieved, where enrolments, human resources and financial functions can be centralised, freeing up funds to be directed to service delivery provisions.
"This provides a direct benefit to staff, students and families."
In March 2025, the council relinquished its license to operate kindergarten services in both Hopetoun and Beulah.
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 between Emerge and the Beulah Primary School has been enacted.
At the end of 2024, the Murtoa Kindergarten closed, and Early Learning Victoria opened the new Murtoa Bani Walup Early Years Centre, incorporating extended day care and kindergarten services.
Council has commenced the consultation process, providing information sessions for current and upcoming registered families earlier this week (July 28 and 29).
Community feedback is welcome on this proposal and is invited to be submitted up until 5pm August 25 via the council's website, or you can send a letter addressed to the chief executive.