The Huon Valley is set to get a new childcare centre aimed at easing pressure in a region long considered a childcare desert, with the federal and state governments each chipping in $5 million.
The Huon Valley Council will fund the remainder of the project, which is reported to cost around $13 million.
The council will also operate the service once it opens.
The centre will be built on Department for Education, Children and Young People land next to Huonville Primary School.
It will offer up to 130 long day care places and 70 outside school hours care spots, supporting as many as 200 children.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027 and finish by March 2028.
The federal funding comes from a $1 billion early education fund, which supports not-for-profit early learning centres in areas that need them most.
Huon Valley Council currently runs around 70% of childcare places in the region and up to 80 families are on its waiting list.
Federal Franklin MP Julie Collins said the new centre would give families a central place to access early learning.
“This new centre will be transformational for the Huon Valley – giving families a single, central education hub,” Collins said.
“Delivering a new education centre in Huonville is a massive win for local families and ensures more children have access to quality education closer to home.”
Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh said the location next to the school would reduce stress for parents and help children settle into school life.
“Every child deserves access to quality early learning – no matter their postcode,” Walsh said.
“Co-locating this centre with the school will give families one less drop-off to juggle and help children move smoothly into school.”
Education Minister Jo Palmer said the project would give local children a stronger start.
“Our government is incredibly excited to be contributing $5 million towards this significant project that will expand early learning for local families, ensuring more children in the Huon Valley get a strong foundation for life and learning,” she said.
