The Andrews Labor Government is continuing its nation-leading investment in our littlest learners with a brand-new early learning centre coming to Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
The Dorrington Child and Family Hub in Mount Waverley will bring state-of-the-art kindergarten facilities to local families, and give children a place to learn, grow and thrive close to home.
Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt today announced a $4.5 million investment to build a new two-room kindergarten at the hub, delivered through the Labor Government's Building Blocks Partnership with Monash City Council.
The new Hub will create more than 90 new kindergarten places and will also offer the essential services families need - with maternal and child health spaces, immunisation and consulting rooms, and a community playgroup space all located on the same site.
The Dorrington Child and Family Hub is the third of six major infrastructure projects to be delivered as part of the Government's Building Blocks Partnership with Monash City Council, with $3 million already invested to build the Wellington and Pinewood Child and Family hubs.
The $14.1 million partnership is delivering more than 360 free kindergarten places across the City of Monash, giving local families more kinder options and ensuring every local child gets tailored, modernearly learning facilities for the best start in life.
Since 2021, the Labor Government has entered Building Blocks partnerships with 10 local councils to build 68 new and expanded kindergartens and create more than 9,250 new kindergarten places state-wide.
Through our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents - especially women - to return to work or study if they choose.
The Labor Government is continuing to invest in the kindergarten infrastructure Victoria needs through the Victorian Budget 2023/24, with a further $1.2 billion for new kinders at or near government and low-fee non-government schools, in addition to new and expanded kinders on local government sites.
As stated by Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
"The Building Blocks Partnership with Monash is making life easier for local families by delivering kindergarten and family services in one place."
"Our Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education, saving hard-working familiesmoney and time, and giving all Victorian children access to kinder."
As stated by Member for Ashwood Matt Fregon
"As families in Mount Waverley grow, we are making sure that kinder places are available to meet demand - giving all local children the best early years education."
