UPGRADING AND IMPROVING MELTON KINDERS
The Andrews Labor Government is helping Melton kindergartens to upgrade and improve their centres, giving every Victorian child the best start to life.
Member for Melton Steve McGhie has today announced Goodstart Early Learning on High Street and Melton West Preschool in Melton has joined the ranks of over 100 other Early Childhood services to benefit from the Building Blocks Improvement grant program.
Goodstart Early Learning Melton High Street has received $318,929.00 for an outdoor playground/yard upgrade consisting of all areas including new sandpits, play equipment, activity areas and sensory experiences to latest guidelines and standard along with extensive drainage works and concrete removal.
Melton West Preschool has received $65,725.00 for an upgrade of the playground which has been in planning for three years and has taken into consideration the size and configuration of the area, and how the children will interact with the space, based on their ages and abilities. Phase 1 has been designed to give the children upgraded equipment and a greater connection with nature. While Phase 2 will rebuild existing major equipment and enhance accessibility and natural features.
These kindergartens are two of 104 services set to share in $17.7 million in funding to renovate and refurbish their centres.
Building Blocks Improvement grants of up to $500,000 are available towards an early learning facility upgrade or improvement project, providing services with funding to help them renovate and refurbish their centres.
The Labor Government is delivering an ambitious overhaul of early childhood education and care, with a massive $9 billion investment over the next decade to save families money and support women to return to the workforce.
Three-Year-Old Kinder is already rolling out across the state, expanding universal access to 15 hours of government-funded kinder every week – and from next year, it will be free.
Four-Year-Old Kinder will also be free, providing much-needed relief for family budgets and giving more women a choice to return to the workforce.
With 90 per cent of a child’s brain developing before the age of five, early education has a profound effect on the way children develop.
In addition to these nation-leading reforms, and to help address the current shortage of available childcare places, the Labor Government will establish 50 government-operated and affordable childcare centres in areas that need them most.
The Labor Government is also ensuring that every new Victorian primary school set to open from 2021 will have a kindergarten on-site or next door, to avoid the dreaded double drop-off, reducing the burden on parents and helping build the Education State.
Visit www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/buildingblocks to apply.
Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie
“This grant will ensure Goodstart Early Learning on High Street and Melton West Preschool in Melton have the funding they need to improve their facilities and technology, to deliver the best educational outcomes for our young learners.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt
“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services so our children can get the most out of great local kindergartens.”
“These grants will help local councils and early childhood services across Victoria to improve their kindergartens and help set them up for the future.”
