Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Ministers statements: kindergarten funding

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (14:01): I rise to update the house on the work that the Andrews Labor government is doing to build the kinders of the future. Last month I was really pleased to join the member for Broadmeadows at Gowrie Broadmeadows to announce the locations of 12 new or expanded kindergartens set to open in 2025. These kinders will deliver almost 900 additional free kinder places in growing communities, ensuring that no matter what your postcode is children across Victoria get the best start in life.

New or expanded kinders on existing school sites will be located at Tootgarook Primary School, Devon Meadows Primary School, Kerang South Primary School, Mildura South Primary School, Echuca Primary School, Thornbury High School, Wallan Secondary College, Broadmeadows Valley Primary School and Wonthaggi North Primary School. We are also delivering three kinders on new school sites in 2025 at Topirum Primary School, Riverdale North primary school and Wollert central primary school. This is all part of our commitment to end the double drop-off for more Victorian families and make the transition to school so much easier for children.

I was pleased to open the new Kurmboon Child and Family Centre in Officer last week with Emma Vulin MP – an excellent MP – where I witnessed firsthand the incredible relationship that can be built between a kinder and a school. The service is located next to the Orchard Park Primary School, and principal Nathan Jagoe regularly visits, building relationships with the children. I am proud that our government is getting on and delivering for our littlest learners.