The Andrews Labor Government is partnering with Golden Plains Shire Council to deliver a multi-million-dollar pipeline of early childhood infrastructure projects, giving local children access to world-class facilities close to home.
Minister for Early Childhood Education and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt today announced a Building Blocks Partnership with Golden Plains Shire, which includes up to $5 million for two modular kindergarten projects, creating up to 140 new places for local children to attend kindergarten.
The partnership includes an expansion to Haddon Pre-School Centre, providing up to an additional 50 kindergarten places for local children each day. Two single-room modular kindergarten buildings will be installed at the pre-school, with the first modular learning space to open Term 1, 2024.
The existing kindergarten building at the site will be demolished to make space for the second modular kindergarten building, with a new outdoor play area to also be created for children to explore and learn through play.
The partnership will also fund an expansion of the sessional kindergarten facilities at Bannockburn Family Services Centre. A two-room modular kinder building will be installed at the service in Term 1, 2024, and will expand the existing service to provide up to 90 additional kindergarten places for local families.
Golden Plains Shire Council runs a sessional kinder program for three- and four-year-olds at the centre, which also provides maternal and child health programs - giving families a convenient local hub for essential services.
These two projects are in addition to the delivery of a new kindergarten to open at Napoleons Primary School next year, which will provide up to 96 additional kindergarten places in the local area, helping more families avoid the double drop-off and making the transition to school easier for children.
As our regions grow, we're making sure families have world-class early learning facilities close to home - no matter where they live - with Building Blocks Partnerships providing funding to build, upgrade and expand services to give children the best start to life.
Since 2021, the Labor Government has entered Building Blocks partnerships with 11 local councils to build 71 new and expanded kindergartens, contributing up to $179 million in funding and creating more than 9,440 new kindergarten places across Victoria.
Through our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, we are transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents to return to work or study if they choose.
As stated by Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
"We're proud to be delivering the first of many kindergarten infrastructure projects in Golden Plains Shire, so more families in the region can access a great local kinder close to home."
"Our Building Blocks Partnership with Golden Plains Shire will support the successful rollout of our Best Start, Best Life reforms and deliver a pipeline of new, expanded and upgraded kinders for local children to thrive in."
As stated by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
"Our Building Blocks Partnership with Golden Plains Shire will ensure that kindergarten children in Bannockburn will continue to get the best start in life as the region grows."
As stated by Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
"This is such an exciting time for families in Haddon and Bannockburn - ensuring our youngest learners get the best early years education and supporting local families."
As stated by Member for Eureka Michaela Settle
"We're investing in new and upgraded kindergartens now, so local families across Golden Plains Shire can access Free Kinder close to home."
