A New Beginning for the Apollo Bay Preschool
October 20, 2021
The 2022 year will mark a new beginning for the Apollo Bay Preschool as it transitions to a new building as well as a new kindergarten operator.
The Apollo Bay Preschool Committee has unanimously decided to transition the kindergarten to One Tree Community Services after a thorough and considered procurement, interview and due diligence process.
One Tree is a not-for-profit charity which provides early years services across Australia, and specialises in working with regional and remote communities.
Outgoing Apollo Bay Preschool President Elenore Lannigan said One Tree’s philosophies had excellent alignment with the Preschool and broader community.
“One Tree’s focus on working with community and tailoring its early years services to fit local contexts was one of the many things we liked about this operator,” Ms Lannigan said.
“They also have extensive experience incorporating Indigenous perspectives into their educational programs, and have a strong focus on supporting vulnerable children and communities.”
Apollo Bay Preschool committee member Steph Goodlet said increasing levels of government regulation and complexities around kindergarten service delivery prompted the Preschool’s decision to transition to a managed model. In addition, the move into the new kindergarten building on the Apollo Bay P-12 College site brought new and increased management expectations that would have put additional pressure on the volunteer committee.
The Apollo Bay Preschool Committee of Management worked closely with the Colac Otway Shire Council to undertake a structured procurement process, to ensure that the operator the Committee chose to appoint was also a suitable fit to lease the new building from the Council.
Mrs Goodlet thanked Council for the way officers collaborated with the committee.
“The Council went above and beyond to support the Committee in this journey and the end result is that we’re going to appoint an operator that is the right fit for the Preschool, the Council and our wider community.
“We’re excited about the specialised expertise, knowledge and resources that One Tree is going to bring to our early years services,” she said.
“One Tree will take over the administrative and leadership functions, which will free up our families to focus on the things that we’re passionate about, such as ensuring the educational program is shaped by local values and expectations, and of course support with fundraising so that our children have the best equipment and learning experiences available.”
Mayor Kate Hanson said 2022 was an exciting time for the early years in Apollo Bay. “Council has worked hard with the Apollo Bay community over many years to advocate for a new kindergarten building, and we have invested an additional $355,000 to add maternal and child health consulting spaces at the site.
“We thank the State Government for its investment in the kindergarten on school site in Apollo Bay.
“The partnership between Council and the Preschool Committee that has resulted in the appointment One Tree is a model we can be proud of, where the community led and Council supported to achieve great outcomes.
“Meanwhile, Council is continuing its investigation into a possible future addition of a childcare centre extension on the site.”
As part of the transition, One Tree will start supporting some aspects of the kindergarten service in Term 4, such as staff orientation and development, operational alignment and program planning for 2022 enrolments.
In 2022, the service will transition to One Tree in its entirety. One Tree has committed to establishing a Parent Advisory Group to provide ongoing input and involvement into the educational program and kindergarten service.
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