Tuesday, 10 October 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is helping Morwell families access a new one-stop-shop at Morwell Central Primary – bringing together kindergarten, children and family health services all under the same roof.

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today visited Morwell Central Primary School to announce that a new integrated early learning centre will be built at the school, including rooms for a three and four-year-old kindergarten program, as well as other services.

Co-locating the early childhood facilities on a school site means drop-off time will be easier for parents of young children, while also providing greater support for children in their transition from kindergarten to school.

Construction is expected to start mid-2018 and will be ready for local families in 2019.

The centre is part of the Labor Government’s $10 million plan to build three early childhood facilities at new government primary schools.

We are delivering a record $70 million to build, expand and upgrade kinders across Victoria to ensure local families can continue to access great local kindergartens.

Morwell families will also benefit from the Government’s $202.1 million Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan, announced in this year’s Victorian Budget 2017/18.

This ground-breaking plan recognises the importance of providing families with strong support in early childhood, so kids are ready for kinder and ready for school.

It will mean parents can access improved parenting support and Maternal and Child Health Services, as well as higher quality and more inclusive kindergartens.

In an Australian first, kinders will also receive an extra $55 million to help children who are facing particular challenges, including speech therapy, and literacy and numeracy support.

We are making Victoria the Education State – and this starts with giving every child a strong start in life.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos:

“We’re investing in first-rate early childhood facilities so Morwell families can access great local kindergarten and childcare services.”

“This is about providing local families improved access to affordable, early childcare facilities to make sure our kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“Building a new hub for kindergarten and children services in Morwell, at the site of one of the very best brand new primary schools in Victoria, will provide flexible, accessible and affordable local services as our community grows.”