A Shellharbour church has realised its decade-long goal of providing an early education and care service.
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Sprouts Early Learning centre is run in partnership with Shellharbour Community Church.
Sprouts, built by the church, is a licensed Christian long day care centre, and a not-for-profit organisation.
Any surplus is invested back into the service, facilities, staff and community outreach programs.
State Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell opened the new centre at Shellharbour on Sunday.
“Speaking to some of the local families, demand in this area for early childhood services is pretty high,” she said.
“So to have this centre here, it’s a great environment and I’m sure the kids will love being here.”
Shellharbour Community Church Pastor Shane Cook said the project had been a goal for a decade.
“Ten years in the making – four years in the planning and one year in the building,” he said.
“The learning centre is for children from six weeks to six years of age.”
Pastor Cook said they had DA approval for 65 places.
He said the centre was not just for children of congregation members, but “the general community… Sprouts exists for the Shellharbour community”.
Pastor Cook said as it was a long day care centre, eligible parents can access the federal Child Care Subsidy.
The service is located at the Shellharbour Community Church, on the corner of 500 Shellharbour Road.