Ararat Rural City Council has committed $20,000 towards a proposed family day care facility at the town’s P-12 College.

However, the establishment of the facility would only brush the surface with the parents of up to 40 children in the area pleading for greater access to childcare services.

Victoria Rogers is a mother of one child and has another on the way. 

Ms Rogers said there was a clear gap with no current service to meet parent demand.

"Lake Bolac seems to be an abyss in terms of family daycare service providers,” she said. 

"There seems to be some real difficulties in getting access to those services for us.”

Ms Rogers said the council grant would allow the school to refurbish an existing building and help secure a service provider.

"The buildings we are looking to re-purpose are currently unused, so I think that would be a fabulous use of space,” she said.

"We have also had a family daycare service provider come on board and give us a firm commitment that they can provide the service.”

Ms Rogers said a family daycare facility would benefit the entire community.

"Certainly in terms of local employment and up-skilling there is plenty of opportunities,” she said.

"One of the main issues for families wanting to come and live in Lake Bolac at the moment is that there is currently no care for your kids.

"How are you going to work and if you don't have any family support it makes it quite challenging. 

"It helps to attract and retain residents, it also helps to attract and retain teachers.”

Lake Bolac P-12 College principal George Porter has lead the push for the establishment of a family day care facility.

Mr Porter said he began lobbying for the centre because of the lack of childcare in the area.

"We have struggled to get teachers to work the days we want because of the lack of daycare,” he said.

"Any program, even if it is small like this one will be greatly appreciated.

"The need will certainly exceed what this project provides, but it is a great start.”

Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper said Ararat Rural City hasn’t been involved in the provision of childcare for many years.

"With rate capping coming in, it’s unlikely council would look to be taking on new services when it can't probably fund its existing obligations,” he said. 

"We have to find different ways, smarter ways. 

“What we will do is work with the community to bring the providers together and see if we can’t get a solution for them, we’ll do our absolute best.”

Cr Hooper said the grant hinged on the establishment of the service. 

“This money is subject to the service getting up, if the service isn't provided that grant doesn't go ahead,” he said.

"Family day care does have some significant limitations, but having something is better than nothing. We recognise that and acknowledge it. 

"Will it go some way to helping our mums down there? Yes, it is a definite starting point.”