Thursday, 10 December 2020

Bonbeach Pre-school

Ms KILKENNY (Carrum) (17:36): (5362) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Early Childhood. I would be delighted if the minister could join me to officially open the newly upgraded and rebuilt Bonbeach Pre-school, located at Bonbeach Primary School. What a fantastic project this has been for the local community, and I am so proud that the Andrews Labor government has funded this $2.6 million project. This is on top of the $6.3 million in funding provided by this government to upgrade and modernise Bonbeach Primary, and I am delighted that stage 1 of the school upgrade has also just been finished.

Bonbeach Pre-school is a wonderful kindergarten with incredible teachers and educators and is lovingly supported by the broader community. Thanks to all who have contributed to and advocated for this important upgrade, particularly the preschool committee, the school council and in particular former school council president Anita McKenzie. Their tireless work was instrumental in securing the funding for this long-term solution and bringing the whole master plan to life.

Early childhood education is something so important and something I will fight for every day. The Andrews Labor government is making sure that all Victorian children will have access to not just one year of play-based learning before school but two. We have embarked on the biggest reform in early childhood education with the rollout of universal, subsidised three-year-old kindergarten, and we are leading the nation. Next year the Andrews Labor government will deliver free kinder for children enrolled in participating funded kinder programs, saving families around $2000 for every child enrolled. This investment will make sure that more kids can access a great early childhood education. It will make it easier for parents, particularly women, to return to the workforce as we recover from the pandemic. I look forward to welcoming the minister next year to officially open Bonbeach Pre-school.

And can I just take the opportunity, Speaker, to wish you, every member in this place and all of the staff at Parliament a really happy and safe Christmas.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. Likewise.