General News
10 March, 2026
Study says centre feasible, start planning
INGLEWOOD District Community Bank wants a a community-based or not for profit organisation to deliver early childhood learning at its proposed centre.
A feasibility study of demand for childcare in southern Loddon communities, finished in December, found at least 49 children could be enrolled at a new centre.
Some families are currently travelling to Marong, Maiden Gully or further into Bendigo to access care.
The study says just over 12 per cent of survey respondents would travel north to Wedderburn where the State Government’s early learning centre co-located at Wedderburn College opened last month.
The study has recommended a centre with a capacity of 29 children be built at Inglewood or Bridgewater.
“Based on all of the considerations above, the establishment of an early years’ education and care service in Inglewood or Bridgewater is considered to be feasible, subject to the assumptions identified in the study being met, and should proceed to more detailed planning,” the study said.
“(A) crucial aspect of feasibility is the ability to secure a not-for-profit or private organisation provider willing to operate the service.
“Our research indicates that there may be locally based not for profit organisations willing to become the provider of the service (eg Inglewood Primary School, Inglewood and Districts Health Service, YMCA or Shine Bright), although this needs to be explored in more detail.
“It may be possible that this service provider will deliver both early childhood education and care and kindergarten services pending the outcome of council’s kindergarten review.
“The viability of the service will also be dependent on the needs of families.
“For those with children attending sessional kinder programs at another venue and potentially primary school too, the ability to do one drop-off as opposed to two or three, possibly in different towns will be advantageous.”
“Based on the community survey ... there are 19 children requiring early childhood education and care each day, with a further 18 children requiring early childhood education and care for three or four days each week.
“It is estimated, from the community survey, that there are 45 children locally in need of early childhood education and care,” the survey found.
Read More: Inglewood, Bridgewater