Wednesday, 18 June 2025

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:00): (1718) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Children, and the action I seek is for the minister to outline how the Allan Labor government will continue to support the expansion of early childhood education infrastructure in the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region, ensuring more local families can access high-quality kindergarten close to home. I raise this matter following the official opening of the newly upgraded kindergarten room at Heatherdale Preschool in Mitcham, an inspiring example of Labor’s commitment to delivering universal access to early education. Thanks to $1.208 million from the 2021–22 Building Blocks capacity grant, Heatherdale now offers an additional 22 places, bringing the total enrolment capacity to 83 places. It was also the first kinder in the area to offer a three-year-old kindergarten program. This investment demonstrates the values of the Labor government in action, removing barriers to education, supporting working families and giving every child every chance, regardless of background, and the best start in life. The co-location of kindergartens near schools eases the transition to primary education and helps busy parents manage the daily juggle of work, care and study. Through our Best Start, Best Life reforms the Allan Labor government is investing not only in bricks and mortar but also in social equity, lifelong opportunity and cost-of-living relief, saving families up to $2600 per child through the free kinder initiative. This is a proud achievement for Mitcham, but we know the demand for high-quality early learning continues to grow. I therefore ask the minister to advise how our government will continue this momentum and ensure every child across the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region has the opportunity to thrive through strong early learning infrastructure.