Nurture One Cowes: Childcare reopens following extensive renovations

Families were left scrambling to find childcare options on Phillip Island earlier this year — now their prayers have been answered.

Nurture One Early Learning Centre in Cowes reopened on Monday after a three-month closure which left families scrambling to find childcare options on Phillip Island.

A coffee van for the parents and welcome packs for the children marked the opening of the upgraded facility on March 21.

Centre manager Rachael O’Neill said the closure was difficult for the community but she was “thrilled” the venue was finally back up and running.

“I acknowledge how difficult this journey has been on many local families and we are so excited to be welcoming back so many familiar faces,” she said.

The team at Nurture One Early Learning Centre Cowes.

The upgrades, which included a newly renovated playground, with a bike track, new flooring, walls, cabinetry and learning resources were unveiled at the reopening on Monday.

“Outside we have new turf, shade sails and a brand-new bike track which is proving to be a child pleased already,” Ms O’Neill said.

The reopening comes after the centre was forced to shut for three-months after an inspection ruled the flood damaged area required urgent repairs in October last year.

The closure occurred amid a childcare crisis on the Bass Coast as families reportedly moved out of locked-down Melbourne to regional areas.

Record enrolment numbers added pressure to the open childcare centres across the shire.

Phillip Island Early Learning Centre in Cowes helped alleviate the stress on families by expanding, with 39 new licenced spots and nine sessional four-year-old spots available to local toddlers.