A MILESTONE was celebrated in Bunyip on Monday when the town’s first childcare centre was opened.

Shona and Murray Jeffrey marked the achievement of a long-standing dream with an official opening by Cardinia Shire councillor Bill Pearson.

Mothers and fathers of children enrolled at the centre helped celebrate the occasion, which marked a new chapter in the town’s development.

“It’s very exciting for us, we’re looking forward to offering good quality childcare to the residents of Bunyip and surrounding towns,” Mrs Jeffrey said.

The Jeffreys built the 75-place centre in Hope Street after overcoming opposition by some residents to the colonial-style facility which features playground space and plenty of car parking.

Eight objections were lodged when the Jeffreys’ application went before council last year with residents fearing the location south of the crest of a hill could create safety problems.

But councillors unanimously supported the proposal, saying Bunyip needed a childcare centre and the Jeffreys had a reputation as good operators.

Mr and Mrs Jeffrey had previously run a centre at Drouin before opening a shop in Warragul.

Mrs Jeffrey said the opening fulfilled an ambition to establish a similar centre at Bunyip.

“We missed the kids,” she said.

“We wanted to get back into the childcare industry, Bunyip is really booming and the vast majority of people have really embraced it. They were desperate for us to open.”

Cr Pearson said the million-dollar facility was a terrific plus for Bunyip and an investment in the future.

He said council planned roadworks in Hope Street that would improve safety in the area, alleviating residents’ concerns. He congratulated the Jeffreys on their initiative and said young mums and dads were greatly looking forward to using their facility.

There are already 35 children enrolled at the centre that is one of only a few independently owned childcare centres in the area.

It will offer long-day care, before and after-school care as well as school holiday care.

Mrs Jeffrey said the Bunyip centre would address a need in the town as well as service the surrounding areas of Longwarry, Garfield, Modella and Catani.

Their aim was to give childcare a “personal touch”, employing local people and providing plenty of place space and “delicious, home-cooked food”.

“Day one is spaghetti,” Mrs Jeffrey said.