A new $3.8 million early learning centre has opened at Doreen.
The Bassetts Road Early Learning Centre will be operated by Melbourne City Mission (MCM) and is already accepting enrolments for next year.
MCM’s Georda Aldersea said the centre would cater for 120 children, from birth to school age, from Doreen, Whittlesea, Mernda, Nutfield, Yarrambat, Yan Yean, Wollert and South Morang.
“With about 60 babies born each week in Whittlesea, these areas have a growing demand for high-quality child development services,” Ms Aldersea said.
In a recent submission to the state government’s education consultant, MCM identified that, in some parts of the Whittlesea growth corridor, up to 35 per cent of children are entering school “developmentally vulnerable”.
MCM’s chief executive Ric Holland said the importance of a child’s early years cannot be overstated.
The number of babies born to 2019 in Doreen is expected to triple, Whittlesea council has found.
To enrol, call 8775 1200 or email mcmbassettsroad@mcm.org.au.
