Officer kids booming

A new childcare centre has been opened to meet the needs of Officer’s booming population.
Cardinia Shire Council’s Arena Child and Family Centre was officially opened on Wednesday 26 April.
Spruiked as “much more than just a childcare centre”, the $2.7 million facility offers maternal and child health services, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and extended after school care under the one roof.
It also includes community spaces suitable for playgroups, parenting programs and activities, along with consulting rooms, meeting rooms and specialist early intervention and family counselling services.
A community church group and mini maestros music group also use the space on the weekends.
The centre has been operating since the beginning of term one this year and has proved popular with the Officer community, with its childcare services fast approaching capacity.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said the facility was a hub for families and young children to “connect and grow together”.
“As with other facilities developed by council for our shire, this centre follows an integrated service delivery model; empowering practitioners to share skills, knowledge and expertise as they develop a range of services that families can access all in one location, for all abilities,” Cr Owen said.
“An extensive engagement and consultation process, with our community, service providers, maternal and child health staff, and early years facilitators, has ensured that this facility will meet the needs of our growing community.”
The project was funded through council’s capital works budget, with support from the Victorian Department of Education and Training.