Kyabram Community and Learning Centre aims to rebuild connections in the community

But now we're on the other side, KCLC is working to rebuild connections in the community.

“Appropriately, that's what this year's Education Week is all about,” chief executive Jen Savage said.

The theme of ‘Building Connections’ celebrates the links between schools and local communities, and aims to strengthen bonds with families and carers.

It's also a chance for education services like KCLC to showcase how they are building connections with their community.

“It's a lovely focus, given the turmoil and challenges of building connections during COVID-19,” Ms Savage said.

“KCLC highly values being a community organisation.

“And we're now focused on bringing some of our community back in again.”

This Education Week, children at KCLC's daycare and kinder programs will work together to create a model of Kyabram.

“We want to remember there is more to Kyabram outside our walls,” Ms Savage said.

Starting the week of May 18, children at the centre will be using clay and cardboard boxes to craft a miniature version of the town.

And KCLC is inviting the wider community to help too.

“If businesses want to get involved, just call the centre and send through photos, which the children can paste onto the boxes,” Ms Savage said.

“Or if you're creatively-minded, you can send in your own building for the model.”

KCLC is also planning to place signposts out the front of the centre, pointing to landmarks in Kyabram and beyond.

“We want to bring wider connections in as well,” Ms Savage said.

“This will continue beyond Education Week.”

During last year's pandemic lockdowns, KCLC staff had to adapt swiftly to the new restrictions.

But while lockdowns came with significant challenges, there were some positives too.

Throughout the year, KCLC undertook a massive 10-month build, renovating and extending the centre to cater to larger numbers, particularly in its education services.

“We've taken out a lot of walls and created moveable spaces within the building, so we can be flexible for the community's needs,” Ms Savage said.

The centre has now doubled its capacity from 30 to 60 children.

This comes just as KCLC has started offering three-year-old kinder in addition to four- and five-year-old kinder thanks to funding from the Victorian Government, introduced this year.

This year marks 15 years since KCLC started offering kinder and childcare to the community.

A celebration of this milestone is planned for Term 3, combined with an ‘official opening’ of the new building.

The centre is currently recruiting and training more early childhood educators to cater for this growing capacity — and increasing need.

“Enrolments are open for next year's kinder again already,” Ms Savage said.

“There's a lot of training involved to ensure KCLC's high-quality care continues.

“So if someone is interested in joining the team, get in touch early so we can get you through the training.”

For more information, phone KCLC on 5852 0000.