"Burden on families daily": The plan to fix Churchill’s childcare shortage

The state government is looking to purchase part of Watson Park to help alleviate the town's lacking early learning centre services.

Author

Jacob Wallace
April 09, 2026

Parents in Churchill have been driving to Morwell and Traralgon just to find a childcare spot. A plan to bring an early learning centre to Watson Park could end that.

What happened? The Victorian Department of Education has requested to purchase a portion of Watson Park in Churchill (next to Churchill Primary School) to build a new early learning centre for the town.

  • Churchill has been identified as one of 50 locations statewide under a Victorian government plan that aims to cater to growing childcare needs in the state.

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Town needs more care

Some residents are having to drive a 40 minute round-tip to Traralgon to drop their children off at an early learning centre, according to Latrobe City councillor Leane Potter.

Churchill has a population of nearly 5,000, according to the 2021 census but only a couple of early learning centres.

  • The Federation Children's Centre is licensed to provide care for 75 children.

  • Glendonald Kindergarten provides early learning care.

Potter spoke in favour of selling the land, telling the council meeting: “Families in our community are being forced to drive to Morwell and Traralgon, just to access early learning or childcare services,” Potter said. “It’s a burden on families daily.”

Councillor Steph Morgan also spoke in favour of the sale, saying: “It’s a very small portion of land to sell for such a positive impact.”

  • The new centre is part of the state government’s Best Start, Best Life program, which aims to build 50 government-owned childcare centres around the state.

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How many new spots?

It’s not clear how many new places will be created if the Churchill early learning centre goes ahead, but the Warragul Early Learning Centre - part of the Best Start, Best Life program - set to open in 2027 will provide 132 kindergarten places.

Have your say

The council voted unanimously to put the sale of land in Churchill up for community consultation. 

Latrobe City residents can have their say here.