General News
27 March, 2025
Shire transfers kinder services to Emerge
Emerge Early Years Services (Emerge) will take over kindergarten and long day care services at the Hopetoun and Beulah after Yarriambiack Shire Council relinquished its license to operate.
Emerge took over the Hopetoun early years building under a five-year lease and service agreement from March 10, but they need to establish a user agreement with the school before assuming responsibility in Beulah, where the kindergarten operates from Beulah Primary School.
The council surrendered its license for both kindergartens on March 7.
Councillors endorsed the draft Lease and Service Agreement during the last council meeting on February 26.
Yarriambiack Shire Council’s chief executive began the formal community engagement process after councillors passed a resolution on July 24, 2024.
The council aims to restore childcare services in Hopetoun after the long daycare centre closed in April 2024.
Mayor Kylie Zanker highlighted the importance of securing license approval to proceed with the reopening.
“Obtaining the licence approval is the first step in the process to reopen the childcare centre,” Cr Zanker said.
“Emerge will need to apply for the childcare subsidy and begin advertising for staff.
“These subsequent steps could not be initiated until the licence approval was secured.”
Cr Zanker reaffirmed the council’s commitment to working closely with Emerge to restore extended daycare services.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the community for their patience as we have navigated this challenge,” she said.
Emerge chief executive officer Elicia Napoli confirmed that Emerge will apply for childcare subsidy funding before beginning staff recruitment.
“If everything proceeds smoothly, we expect to reopen the long daycare centre by the middle of term two,” Ms Napoli said.