- Published:
- Friday 25 August 2023
More young Victorians are getting a first-class early education closer to home – and families are saving time and money – with the Andrews Labor Government investing in five new kinders on or next to school sites.
Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt today officially opened the kindergarten at Rosewood Downs Primary School in Dandenong North, announcing the locations of kindergartens on school sites opening in 2025.
The kindergarten at Rosewood Downs provides 66 kindergarten places across two rooms and an outdoor space for children to play, explore and learn in. It also includes an administration area, maternal and child health services, and a community events space – giving local families a convenient place for all the services they need.
The five new kindergartens – being built in growing communities that need them most – will be located at:
- Ballan Primary School (Moorabool Shire)
- Greenvale Primary School (Hume Council)
- Lakes Entrance Primary School (East Gippsland Shire)
- Whitfield District Primary School (Wangaratta Shire)
- Dimboola Primary School (Hindmarsh Shire).
These facilities set to open in early 2025 will be designed in consultation with school communities and local councils – providing more families and children with high-quality, tailored early years education close to home.
As part of the $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Labor Government has made sure that every new primary school since 2021 has a kinder on-site or next door, ensuring kindergarten programs are easier to access, drop-off and pick-up times are more convenient, and children have a smoother transition to primary school.
The Government is also investing in the future – providing $1.2 billion in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 for new kinders at or near government and low-fee government schools, alongside new and expanded kinders on local government sites – making sure families across the state have access to a quality kinder nearby.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
“These new kinders on school sites are providing more families with greater access to an outstanding early years education, so that every child gets the best start in life.”
“We’re making drop-offs and pick-ups easier for families – saving them time and money and building the confidence of our littlest Victorians in their education journey – from kinder to school and beyond.”
Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
"The new Rosewood Downs kinder is providing fantastic and convenient educational facilities for families in Dandenong North, helping some of our youngest locals learn, thrive and gain confidence for school."