Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr was among the first of the big kids to check out Lockhart’s new daycare facility. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Proud Lockhart parents, teachers and council officials have had their prayers answered this week with Lockhart Central School opening the town’s only daycare centre.
The new centre, which will provide for up to 25 children a day, comes after parents in the town rallied together following the closing of the town’s previous and only centre just shy of 12 months ago. It was closed due to what the Department of Education called “significant child safety concerns”.
Lockhart Central School teacher and parent Tara Buckley said that following the closure of the previous site, many parents, including herself and her husband, had to reduce the days they worked to look after their children.
“At the time, we had no other daycare provider and no foreseeable option for daycare in the town,” she said.
“Everybody scrambled and looked for different opportunities in terms of employment, including dropping days off working and things like that to bridge the gap.
“I shortened my working week by a day, and my husband shortened his by three. That ended up causing a lot of issues in terms of my husband’s work in the local industry. The town was down a tradesman and a teacher.
“Anyone that’s ever juggled harvest knows that those hours are crucial, so to have this centre opening is perfect. We’ve needed this for a very long time; I remember thinking that it was never going to happen.”
Lockhart councillors, Lockhart Central School teachers and Dr Joe McGirr unveiled the new facility on Wednesday 9 April. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr attended the centre’s official opening on Tuesday (9 April) and highlighted the hard work of local parents and Lockhart Shire Council that ensured the facility was available as soon as possible.
“Having a centre open in less than 12 months is incredible; you wouldn’t see that happen in the city and that’s a testament to the work of the Lockhart community,” he said.
“This is great news for Lockhart families who were facing a future without local childcare after the town’s only long day care closed last year.
“The community then stepped up to find a solution, working with the government, the council and myself to identify options and make this amazing new centre a reality.
“The opening of the new centre is a great reward for the Lockhart community’s vision and hard work, and I know local families will benefit from quality early childhood education and care provision for generations of children to come.”
Lockhart Shire Council Mayor Peter Sharp said it was a wonderful time for the Lockhart community with kids from the ages of three to 18 all being able to enjoy schooling in the same place.
“This is an exciting time for the Lockhart community, which has been eagerly awaiting the completion of the new facility,” Cr Sharp said.
“We are thrilled that this vital project is now finalised, enabling Lockhart Early Learning Centre to provide quality early childhood education and care to many families.
“It’s been great to work alongside the government and Lockhart Central School to come up with this solution.
“We will celebrate this at an official opening later this year in recognition of everyone’s efforts.
“Having a daycare conveniently located on school grounds is a big win for parents and will strengthen community connection.”
