This week, Yarra City Council has officially opened Richmond Kindergarten.
The new state-of-the-art facility expands our 3 and 4-year-old kinder programs in line with the Victorian Government early childhood reforms.
Yarra City Council has invested $2 million into the facility, with a $500,000 grant provided by the Victorian Government.
The new kinder capacity has increased from 56 children per week to 132 children per week.
Along with the new kindergarten rooms, we've delivered a dedicated community room and garden space, with a mural by First Nations artist Rebecca Atkinson featuring Yarra's native birds. Atkinson works under the design name Nurratj Galnya meaning 'dream sweet' in Bangerang language.
The kindergarten is also environmentally sustainable and includes energy efficient features like:
- Water harvesting
- Sustainable taps to minimise water use
- Roof mounted solar panels
- Energy efficient technology including LED lighting, sensors in rooms and increased insulation in ceilings
- Removal of gas – everything is powered by electricity from renewable sources
- Use of recycled and repurposed timber and other building materials, where possible.
Yarra City Council Mayor, Claudia Nguyen, said upgrades to early childhood are an important investment for all councils.
"Councils are the closest form of government to the community. The spaces in which we deliver services like early childhood education, need to reflect the growing needs of the community."
"We're proud to invest in spaces that will shape the future of the youngest members of the Yarra community."
The Cubby House, Richmond Kindergarten and the Stables at 92-104 Lord Street and 19-27 Duke Street in Richmond are collectively called the Chas Farquhar community hub.
