Early Years Services

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Early Childhood Education and Care Services are provided across our Shire.  Yarriambiack Shire Council partners with West Wimmera Health Service to support the provision of Maternal Child Health Services, along with Emerge Early Years Services to provide Kindergarten programs.

In addition, Early Learning Victoria provides Kindergarten and Long Day care in Murtoa, and Uniting Vic Tas provides long day care services in Warracknabeal.

To read more about the services offered across our Shire, refer to the information below. 

Kindergartens

Yarriambiack Shire Council (YSC) serves as the Early Years Management Organisation for the following Kindergarten services:
  • Minyip Kindergarten
  • Rupanyup Kindergarten
  • Warracknabeal Kindergarten
Emerge Early Years Services serves as the Early Years Management Organisation for the following Kindergarten services:
  • Beulah Kindergarten
  • Hopetoun Kindergarten
Early Learning Victoria serves as the Early Years Management Organisation for the following Kindergarten and Long Day Care service:
  • Murtoa Kindergarten and Long Day Care

Beginning Kindergarten
When is the best time?

Your child can now benefit from two years of kindergarten programs before starting school. The Victorian Government has begun rolling out funded kindergarten for three-year-old children across the state, and we are thrilled to offer this opportunity to Yarriambiack families.

This means:

  • Children are eligible to attend 3-year-old kindergarten if they turn 3 prior to the 30th of April, however they cannot attend until their third birthday.
  • So, for children born between 01 January and 30 April, parents have the choice as to whether they commence 3-year-old kindergarten the year they turn 3 or begin in the following year when a full year of 3-year-old Kindergarten can be accessed.

All children learn and develop in different ways. Some children may benefit from starting Kindergarten later. It is important that children are ready to transition to school after kindergarten. Therefore, it is important that parents and carers carefully consider this when deciding the best time for their child to start kindergarten.

If you are unsure about the best time for your child to start kindergarten, you can ask:


Kindergarten Pre-Enrolment

3 and 4 year old Kindergarten

Council has developed an online survey for kindergarten pre-enrolments. The survey will take approximately 6 minutes to complete. All information collected will be maintained in accordance with Council’s Information Privacy Policy. 

If you experience issues entering data into this form, please contact enrolment@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 5398 0100. 

Please note all fields must be complete before you can submit the form.
Please ensure your email details are correct as you will receive a confirmation email. 

Click here to complete the Kindergarten Pre-Enrolment form

Minyip Kindergarten - YSC

Minyip Kindergarten

Minyip Pre-School is a community orientated service with small groups of children – both 3- and 4-Year-olds. With these small cohorts, children’s interests and requests can be acted upon promptly and each child’s growth as an individual supported. Engagement with nature and the environment is a focus – acknowledging the care necessary for them to flourish. Produce is shared with the community (if the children haven’t eaten it all first) and relationships fostered through this. Community organisations are within close proximity and allow for engagement with the wider world. The Pre-School is situated close to the Primary School – allowing for various visits and transition opportunities.   

Teacher: Christiana Henke

Educators: Anne Templeman

Days of operations: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Mobile: 0448 118 458

Email: minyip.kinder@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au

Rupanyup Kindergarten - YSC

Rupanyup Kindergarten

Rupanyup Kindergarten offers sessional kindergarten for both 3 and 4 year old children delivered by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. Our service provides a warm and welcoming environment comprising of a large light filled indoor space and a recently landscaped natural outdoor learning environment that encourages wonder and exploration. Warm responsive relationships are at the forefront of what we do, and we pride ourselves on building a sense of belonging for all. We are passionate about offering play-based, child-centered curriculum that respects children’s strengths and interests whilst enhancing their learning and development. We value partnerships with families and our local community and look forward to sharing our kinder community with you. 

Teachers: Emily Hurley - (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), Christiana Henke (Wednesday)

Educators: Sheri Garton, Joanne Thompson

Days of operations: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Mobile: 0429 622 646

Email: rupanyup.kinder@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au 

Warracknabeal Kindergarten - YSC

Warracknabeal Kindergarten
Warracknabeal Banksia Room

The Banksia Program of the Warracknabeal Memorial Kindergarten is a three- and four-year-old kindergarten program, located in a small township in rural Northwest Victoria. We operate Monday to Friday, from 8:30 to 1:30, on a sessional model, with 3-year-old kindergarten children attending for three sessions per week and 4-year-old kindergarten children attending four sessions per week. Students are supported by a team of four educators.

Our program is a beautifully situated kinder, at the far end of Werrigar St, sitting alongside the Yarriambiack Creek. This outlook sets the tone for our program, which seeks to embrace and inspire a love of nature and the environment. We love our Eco- Garden, where we keep chickens, plant various fruit and veggies, and simply enjoy the outdoors. Similarly, a key part of our program is our Bush Kinder excursions. During cooler months, we head off on excursion, into the bush, where we build cubbies, look for bugs, roll down hills, and climb trees, as well as everything in-between. Through this, and back at kinder, children are encouraged to gain a deeper respect and understanding of our local indigenous heritage, with a daily Acknowledgment of Country and building connections with local indigenous Elders. Music and the Arts are also vital to our program, in addition to our daily music sessions and general arts exploration, the children experience various musical incursions throughout the year, and we showcase the children’s work to the wider community through our annual Kinder Arts Show.

Our program aims to be very flexible, driven by the interests of the students. We provide an emergent curriculum, with flexible mealtimes and an indoor/outdoor routine. Our routine in generally framed by two group times, one with a music and movement focus and the other with a literacy focus. A key focus for our learning centres on our three "Kinder Values" of respect, responsibility and co-operation. We work extensively to support children's emotional regulation skills, with the language and strategies of the Zones of Regulation taught explicitly to enable the children an in-depth understanding and capacity for self-regulation. Keyword Sign is used throughout the program, with all staff trained in its implementation, and modelled to all children to support communication and processing support needs.

Teacher: Kate Williamson

Educators: Jill Adams, Natasha Hallam, Kimberley Phelan. 

Days of operations: Monday-Friday

Phone: 03 5398 1747

Mobile: 0437 104 101

Email: Warracknabeal.kinder@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au


Warracknabeal Wattle Room

The Wattle Room at Warracknabeal Memorial Kindergarten is a welcoming and nurturing space thoughtfully designed to support the growth and development of 3- and 4-year-old children. Here, children are encouraged to explore, create, and learn through a balance of child-led play experiences and intentional teaching practices delivered by our team of dedicated and qualified early childhood educators.

Our program is grounded in the belief that children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and respected. We focus on creating an environment that is rich in curiosity, creativity, and discovery, where every child is seen as capable, competent, and full of potential. Through play-based learning, children have the opportunity to build foundational skills across all developmental areas—social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive.

In the Wattle Room, we place strong emphasis on the values of Respect, Responsibility, and Cooperation. These values are woven into everyday interactions and learning experiences, helping children develop a strong sense of identity, empathy, and belonging. We support children to form positive relationships, make choices, express themselves, and solve problems with guidance and encouragement.

Our team of passionate, caring, and motivated educators are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and joyful atmosphere where every child’s voice is heard and celebrated. Through intentional planning, responsive interactions, and reflective practice, we aim to build strong foundations for lifelong learning.

Families are seen as partners in the learning journey, and we actively encourage open communication and collaboration to ensure the best outcomes for each individual child. The Wattle Room is not just a space for learning—it's a place where children feel safe, happy, and inspired to be themselves.

Teacher: Loretta Leith

Educators: Stephanie Powell, Hanna Morcom and Brodie McCredden

Days of operations: Monday-Friday

Phone: 03 5398 1747

Mobile: 0408 751 193

Email: 3YOkinder@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au

Kindergartens - Emerge Early Years (Beulah and Hopetoun)

Emerge Early Years Services is the leading organisation for Hopetoun and Beulah Kindergartens.

For more details about Emerge Early Years Services, please visit their website by clicking the button below.


Beulah Kindergarten

Teacher: Jacqueline Kiem

Educator: Alison Bish

Days of operations: Monday

Mobile: 0429 776 010

Email: hopetoun.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au


Hopetoun Kindergarten

Teacher: Jacqueline Kiem

Educators: Remy George, Camille Donnan (Jones)

Days of operations: Tuesday-Friday

Mobile: 0429 776 010

Email: hopetoun.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Kindergarten - Early Learning Victoria (Bani Walup - Murtoa)

Early Learning Victoria is the leading organisation for Bani Walup (Murtoa) Kindergarten and childcare.

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For more details about Early Learning Victoria, please visit their website by clicking the button below.

  • Enrolments at the Early Learning Victoria - Bani Walup are now open for 2026: Early Learning Victoria Bani Walup (Murtoa) | earlylearning.vic.gov.au

  •  Early Learning Victoria offers welcoming and engaging spaces to support all children.  Children learn best through play - exploring, discovering, asking questions and making friends.  Encouraging them to connect with nature, follow their interests and build their confidence through planned, meaningful learning experiences.

  •  You can contact Early Learning Victoria - Bani Walup on email via elv.bani.walup@education.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 6185 3170 if you'd like to find out any more information or arrange a tour.

  •  Early Learning Victoria centres are government-run and provide high-quality early childhood education and care for young children.

Playgroup

What is a playgroup?

Playgroups provide parents and caregivers with the opportunity to meet new people, gain support and exchange parenting ideas. They allow babies, toddlers and preschoolers to socialise as they play and learn together. All playgroups are different but the emphasis is on fun and friendship.

To find a Local Community Playgroup, visit Playgroup Victoria:

Childcare

Murtoa
Early Learning Victoria Bani Walup

Early Learning Victoria provides childcare services in Murtoa.

Website: Early Learning Victoria Bani Walup (Murtoa) | earlylearning.vic.gov.au

Phone: 03 6185 3170

Email: elv.bani.walup@education.vic.gov.au


Hopetoun

Coming Soon: Emerge Early Years Services will soon be offering daycare in Hopetoun.

Website: Emerge Early Years Services


Warracknabeal
Warracknabeal Uniting Early Learning

Uniting Vic.Tas provides childcare services in Warracknabeal.  

Website: Warracknabeal Uniting Early Learning | Childcare & Early Learning Centres Victoria & Tasmania | Uniting Vic.Tas

Phone: 1800 183 103


Take-A-Break Childcare

Take-A-Break Childcare at Warracknabeal Neighbourhood House offers small group occasional care for children 0-4 years.

Website: Childcare — Neighbourhood House Warracknabeal

Phone: 03 5396 1360 

Maternal Child Health

Maternal Child Health services are provided by West Wimmera Health Service.

For more information about this service, please visit the West Wimmera Health Service website by clicking the button below.


Contacts

Chloe Stephenson, Maternal Child Health Nurse (Southern and Central)

Phone: 0427 876 355 

Michelle Schilling, Maternal Child Health Nurse (Northern)

Phone: 0437 762 104