Wednesday, 18 December 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is building new and upgrading early learning facilities across the state, as it gets on with delivering universal Three-Year-Old Kinder.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing today announced Minaret College would receive a $495,000.00 grant to upgrade the Minaret Early Learning Centre in Officer.

The project includes the refurbishment of the existing Junior Primary classroom to create and early learning centre for 3 and 4 year old’s, which will provide additional kindergarten places for local families.

Chirnside Park Pre-School will also receive a grant for $16,789.00 to upgrade their bicycle path to teach road safety.

This is part of the Labor Government’s $33.6 million investment in the 2019/20 Budget for the Children’s Facilities Capital Program and Inclusive Kindergarten Facilities Program.

Funding has been allocated through the program to build new and upgrade existing early years facilities to support the roll-out of funded three-year-old programs, as well as four-year-old kinder.

In an Australian-first, the Labor Government is investing nearly $5 billion over the next ten years to deliver two years of funded kindergarten for all Victorian children.

The Government is also upgrading infrastructure through a $1.68 billion co-investment with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state in preparation for the roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.

This is about ensuring families in Eastern Victoria have access to stronger support in early childhood, so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services as part of our historic $5 billion investment in delivering funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“This is about boosting early learning facilities in Eastern Victoria and these exciting projects will ensure local children can get the most out of their time at kindergarten.”