The Andrews Labor Government is helping families in Narre Warren South access bigger and better kindergarten services.
Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP visited Heritage College yesterday to open their new upgraded and expanded Early Learning Centre. The event was hosted by Principal Sonny Aiono with staff, students and families in attendance.
$500,000 in funding for this important project was provided by the Victorian Government under the Children’s Facilities Capital Program Major Grant - Early Learning Facility Upgrade grant, with Seventh-day Adventist Schools (Victoria) Limited providing $289,752.
This upgrade was delivered by Kneeler Design Architects and Chippa Constructions and will increase the kindergarten’s capacity at the school with two classrooms, reception area, office, amenities, and landscaping works and will allow local families to have more choices with long day care, outside school hours care, and vacation care services.
In an Australian-first, the Andrews Government has invested almost $5 billion to deliver a full 15 hours of Three-Year-Old Kinder to every Victorian child over the next decade, with the roll-out beginning in 2020.
As part of this roll-out, the State Government is upgrading infrastructure through a $1.68 billion co-investment with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state.
This investment includes the delivery of a number of new kindergartens on existing school sites to support the roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, providing benefits through co-location of facilities and convenience for families.
The State Government is also ensuring that every new Victorian primary school set to open from 2021 will have a kindergarten on-site or next door, reducing the burden on parents and helping to build the Education State. This includes all 10 new primary schools which opened in 2021 and all six new primary schools opening in 2022.
Quote attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Ingrid Stitt:
“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services across Victoria to help our kids and their families access better quality programs and facilities.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP:
“The upgraded Early Learning Centre at Heritage College is just another step towards ensuring that our youngest students get a head start by receiving a high-quality education in modern and functional spaces.”
“This Government knows the importance of early education and that’s why we continue to invest in school infrastructure. We’re getting on with the job of delivering for local schools.”
“The new three-year-old kinder is an Andrews Government initiative that will support families and assist women as they return to work.”
18th May 2021