Early Learning Victoria Hamilton (interim name)

We are building a new early learning and childcare centre at the former Baimbridge College (East Campus) in Hamilton. It will open in 2029.

The Victorian Government-owned centre will be run by Early Learning Victoria. The centre will provide long day care and 3- and 4-Year-Old Kinder programs, with space for up to 102 local children in the centre each day.

The centre will have outdoor play areas, a carpark, and child and family services, such as maternal and child health, playgroups and allied health.

How are early learning and childcare centres designed and located?

We assess areas with significant kinder demand to make sure we build them where they’re most needed.

We work closely with key stakeholders including local council and schools. They help give local context on the community's early childcare needs.

When co-located at a school, we work with the school throughout the planning, design and construction process.

We also work closely with Traditional Owners to embed Aboriginal cultures and perspectives into the design.

How are you managing local heritage?

The former Baimbridge College (East Campus) is steeped in history. The site has been unused since 2023. Building the centre at this location will restore the site into a place of learning.

We are exploring ways to:

• incorporate the heritage of the site in the design of the ELV centre.
• reuse materials from the existing site, such as bricks and frames, where possible.
• share the site’s educational history through displays, artwork and images.
• recognise the Traditional Owners of the land – and it’s first educators – the Gunditjmara people.

Our aim is to create a centre that respects the site’s education history and Traditional Owners. A space that reflects the local community and provides a strong foundation for education.