Thursday, 23 March 2023

 Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) (09:55): Last week on 15 March I had the great pleasure of visiting a number of kindergartens and helping to distribute a great Andrews Labor government initiative: kinder kits. The children were all very excited as they explored the books, the playdough, the blocks and all the other fun things. We are building a world-class preschool system, with free three- and four-year-old kinder and also increasing the hours to 30, to be phased in over 10 years. These measures assist with cost-of-living pressures as well as giving children a great foundation for life and learning. It is also expanding opportunities for women, particularly to pursue paid work without the prohibitive cost of child care.

I want to thank the kindergartens and preschools that I attended: Epping Preschool, Epping North early learning centre, Lalor East Preschool and Dalton Road kindergarten. Thanks to all the staff and educators: Krishna, Lily, Steph, Erika, Tau, Janet, Amy, Nicole and Mel, and a very special thankyou to Felicia and her daughter Hope, who reminded me, showing me a photo from many years ago, of when I also presented little Hope with a baby bundle, which was yet another Andrews Labor government initiative, some time ago at the Northern Hospital. It was really great to see these first-class preschools and kindergartens doing great work with the children and also including families and all involved.