Colac Otway Shire Council has commenced its formal Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the lease of Council-owned and managed Kindergarten facilities.
Facilities include Winifred Nance, Wydinia, Colac East and Apollo Bay Kindergartens.
Lease agreements with current providers are set to expire in November 2026.
This is a standard part of Council's robust procurement process and the current EOI is to make available the Council owned and managed facilities for a period of three years with a possibility of extension of two more years to deliver high-quality early childhood education services for our community.
Council is seeking to identify and partner with early years providers who demonstrate excellence in delivering inclusive, innovative, and community-focused Kindergarten programs to ensure that families across our municipality continue to have access to the best possible early learning experiences.
"Council is committed to nurturing and supporting the growth of our youngest residents and investing in their future," said Manager Community Services, Ashish Sitoula.
"By undertaking this EOI process, we aim to support and strengthen early years education by selecting providers who continue to align with Council's values and vision for quality, accessible, and sustainable services.
"We wish to reassure families there will be no changes to the current Kindergarten program, and no changes to any child's 2026 Kindergarten enrolment.
"Council will ensure families are kept informed and that any transition is managed smoothly and respectfully," Mr Sitoula said.
The EOI process is open to all eligible early year's management providers.
Council encourages applications from organisations with a strong track record in delivering high-quality Kindergarten programs that meet the diverse needs of local families.
