- Published:
- Thursday 2 June 2016
More kinder places will be available in Eltham with the upgraded Eltham Child Care Co-operative and the Woodridge Preschool now open.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos was joined by the Member for Eltham Vicki Ward to officially open the upgraded kinders, which have been renovated to offer more places for the growing Eltham community.
Eltham Child Care Co-operative will offer 33 additional places for four-year-olds, 22 additional places for three-year-olds and 22 places for long day care. Woodridge Preschool will now offer an additional 40 places.
The Victorian Government contributed $350,000 to each centre’s upgrade with the Nillumbik Shire Council and each kinder also contributing.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing $60 million to build and upgrade kindergartens and children’s centres.
Infrastructure projects such as these ensure local children’s services have the space and flexibility they need to deliver 15 hours of kindergarten alongside a range of other vital early years programs.
The Andrews Labor Government is also delivering up to $83.7 million over four years to support the implementation of improved educator-to-child ratios from 2016.
Families are benefitting from improved staff-to-child ratios which will allow more one-on-one time for every child and boost the value they receive from time spent at kindergarten in preparation for school.
Applications for the 2016-17 Children’s Facilities Capital Program grant round recently opened and close 12 August 2016. Visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/funding/Pages/capitalprogr…
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“The Andrews Labor Government is making Victoria the Education State – which means strengthening our early years services to give every child the best start in life, no matter where they live.”
“More Victorian children will have access to quality early years services, thanks to our ongoing investment in children’s capital.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Eltham Vicki Ward
“These upgrades mean that more Eltham families will have increased access to our quality kinders, close to home.”
“Eltham Child Care Co-op and the Woodridge Preschool are to be congratulated on their fundraising efforts, these facilities are fantastic upgrades of which they can be proud.”