Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Jacinta ERMACORA (Western Victoria) (10:00): My members statement today is about two kinders that I visited last week in Warrnambool. Goodstart Early Learning in Dennington has received a Building Blocks grant to upgrade outdoor areas and some indoor fit-outs. Two of the staff, Amanda Parnell and Megan Robertson, are now degree-qualified due to our contribution from the early childhood scholarships program. The program inspired Amanda to fulfil her ambition of becoming an educator and enabled Megan to reduce her working hours to focus on her studies. At Warrnambool city kinder the Building Blocks grant was used to create a new accessible entry with a ramp for prams and wheelchairs and an area for the children to hang up their bags and belongings. It is a lovely light and quiet space. Apparently in the first week it opened the children enjoyed their space so much that they spent most of their day there. Congratulations to Goodstart Early Learning in Dennington, Warrnambool City Council kinder and also Bolden Constructions for making such a great use of the available space. It was truly fantastic to see the benefits of the Allan Labor government’s Building Blocks grants and the early childhood scholarship program.