While the finishing touches are still being put on the Southern Rise Children’s Centre, parents of enrolled children have been touring the centre before classes begin in a fortnight.

More than 150 families are enrolled at the Whitebox Rise centre which is part of the Southern Rise Education Centre, which will eventually include Wodonga South Primary School.

It has childcare and preschool facilities, maternal and child health services, playgroups and family support groups.

Wodonga’s Jaimie Foster, whose son Mitchell, 3, will attend the centre, is happy with the centre.

“It’s a nice open space and I think the link between all the services will be great,” she said.

“I know my son will love the new book area because he’s a bit of a book worm.”

Southern Rise early years co-ordinator Shaneen Mills said classes would start on April 27.

“We’re excited about the project,” ,” she said.

“It is a ... new way of offering services to children.

“Having a childcare facility that operates next to a preschool in conjunction with the primary school is unique for the city.

“It provides a centre where parents have all services for their children, it’s a bit of a one-stop shop.”

Ms Mills said she believed it was important that enrolled children and their parents become familiar with the centre.

It will open today and tomorrow for invited families.