Greater Shepparton City Council has endorsed the consolidation of services currently delivered at the Nancy Vibert Children's Centre in Shepparton; however, the consolidation will be delayed until the end of 2027.
The decision, made at the May Council Meeting, follows a comprehensive review of Council's early years services, together with recent assessments, which identified that the Nancy Vibert Children's Centre facility is no longer fit for purpose.
Recent assessments at Nancy Vibert Children's Centre have identified a number of significant issues, including extensive maintenance requirements, limited outdoor space, occupational health and safety concerns, and the absence of a compliant kitchen to meet regulatory standards. Together, these factors pose ongoing risks to service delivery and would require substantial investment to rectify.
With the safety and wellbeing of children as the highest priority, consolidating services at Nancy Vibert into other nearby Council facilities will ensure that children and their families continue to receive a high standard of care and education in safe, well-equipped environments.
The officer recommendation, presented at the Council Meeting, proposed that consolidation occur by the end of 2026; however, Councillors resolved to extend the transition period, with closure now scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
"Councillors believe the timeline in the original recommendation did not allow sufficient time for families to fully understand what the proposed changes would mean," Mayor, Cr Shane Sali said.
"The majority of Councillors consider that a 12‑month extension will provide an enhanced opportunity for families to ask important questions and gain clarity about what the transition will look like ahead of 2027."
Cr Sali acknowledged the high-quality service provided by staff at the site and said the decision ensures local families will continue to have access to high-quality, safe, and sustainable early childhood education and care services.
"Council is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for children and families. While this decision has not been made lightly, it reflects the reality that the current facility can no longer meet national quality standards or accommodate for future needs," he said.
"The Nancy Vibert site has limited ability to expand or adapt to meet future demand, reinforcing the need for a different service model moving forward."
Over the next 18 months, Council will manage a transition process aimed at maintaining continuity of care and minimising disruption.
Council will continue to engage with families to discuss available options, including preferred days, hours, and locations. Staff will also be actively supported throughout this process, with a commitment to working closely with staff to provide meaningful redeployment opportunities across other Council-operated early childhood services ensuring their skills, experience, and dedication to children and families are retained.
Council's decision aligns with broader planning and the Victorian Government's Best Start, Best Life reforms, which are expected to increase demand for kindergarten services across the region. By consolidating services, Council will be able to strengthen program quality, improve long-term sustainability, better utilise existing facilities and increase capacity where it is most viable.
"Council will continue to provide regular updates to staff, families and the community as planning progresses over the coming months," Cr Sali said.
"Our priority now is to ensure a smooth and respectful transition for everyone involved ahead of the 2027 closure. We are committed to supporting our families, children and staff every step of the way."
