Geelong West Kindergarten
Ms COUZENS (Geelong) (10:00): Geelong West Kindergarten was established in 1922, making it the oldest kindergarten in Greater Geelong, and in March this year celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Last week the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep joined me for a visit to this amazing kinder to chat to the teachers and parents and check out the painting and mud pie making. Geelong West Kindergarten is an independent sessional kindergarten managed by a very active and engaged committee of management. Its fantastic outdoor space, which includes a 100-year-old peppercorn tree as part of the play environment, is enjoyed by everyone. The Geelong West Kindergarten has focused on sustainability, having installed solar panels to minimise costs, and has developed Indigenous gardening spaces. I had the pleasure of opening the Indigenous garden a few years ago and watching the children enjoy this beautiful space.
The Geelong West Kindergarten operates three kinder groups for four- to five-year-olds and three pre-kinder groups for three- to four-year-olds. The three- and four-year-old pre-kinder programs offer different timetables, allowing flexibility and choice for families in my community. The Geelong West area has a growing number of young families accessing kindergartens, toddler time, the local library and the recently fully upgraded Ashby Primary School, thanks to the Andrews Labor government. Since 2015 kindergarten services— (Time expired)