Fern Street Children's Centre

The future is looking bright for families in Black Rock, with a new integrated children’s centre.

The new facilities, which opened in January 2024, will improve the accessibility, scope and integration of early childhood services in Bayside’s south.

Key features include:

• A purpose-built centre for three-year old and four-year-old kindergarten
• A multi-use room catering for occasional care and community group hire
• A maternal and child health (MCH) consulting room
• Children’s sensory garden connecting to FG Tricks Reserve
• Senior’s exercise equipment within FG Tricks Reserve
• Onsite car parking and landscaping improvements.

This project has been funded by Bayside City Council and supported by a Victorian Government Grant. Council received $1.6 million from the Victorian Government towards the $6 million cost of Fern Street, which was delivered under Bayside's Early Years Infrastructure Plan. 

Our new children’s centre for local families.

Fern Street Children’s Centre delivers a high-quality learning environment through three and four-year-old kindergarten. The centre also provides occasional care, a space for community group hire and maternal and child health support services.

We used community feedback to help shape the design and functionality of the new centre. The building features environmentally sensitive design in response to Bayside’s declaration of a climate emergency, the 2021-25 Council Plan and Council’s Sustainable Building and Infrastructure Policy. 

The site has been landscaped to provide a children’s sensory experience linking to FG Tricks Reserve. Also included in the development is 18 onsite car parking spaces and a vehicle turning circle to minimise the impacts on neighbouring residents as much as possible. 

The playground upgrade planned for FG Tricks Reserve will be delivered as part of Council’s Playground Improvement Plan as a separate project. 

Project funding

Council invested $6 million towards the development, supported by a $1.6 million Victorian Government grant.

Project timeline

Construction of the new facility commenced in early September 2022 and was finalised by January 2024, ready for service commencement in Term 1 2024.

Project updates

Fern Street Children's Centre opens – February 2024

Some of our youngest residents enjoyed an exciting start to their year in the newly opened Fern Street Kindergarten in Black Rock. The kindergarten is part of our new Fern Street Children's Centre, which also includes a Maternal and Child Health consulting room, a multi-use room, and kitchen for early years' services such as playgroups, parenting sessions and occasional care along with ample onsite parking.

Temporary removal of swings - August 2023

A recent safety audit at FG Tricks Reserve has resulted in the temporary removal of playground swings while we complete the adjoining construction works at the Fern Street Children’s Centre.

The swings will be back in action once the construction fence has been removed. It is estimated the swings will be back in action by early October 2023, weather permitting.

Progress update – June 2023

We’re making fantastic progress at the Fern Street Children’s Centre. We’ve started landscaping and fencing around the building. Internally we’re painting and installing the wall linings and flooring. We’ll soon move on to the internal fit-out, and install the joinery, light fixtures and fittings. Works are currently progressing to schedule, and the Centre is on track to open for Term 1 2024.

Find out more about the project

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