Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today opened the Bannockburn Family Services Centre upgrade which has allowed it to increase the number of licensed places in its three- and four-year-old kindergarten program from 97 to 146.
This boost will help meet growing demand for quality early years education and care in the Golden Plains region.
The $728,660 Bannockburn redevelopment includes two new children’s rooms, change areas, a purpose-built kitchen, staff office and a redesign of the outdoor play area.
Ms Tierney congratulated the Golden Plains Shire and the wider Bannockburn community for their support for this vital local project.
The Victorian Government contributed $336,160 towards the Bannockburn centre’s
upgrade, including $310,000 from the Department of Education and Training’s Children’s Facilities Capital Program and $26,160 from the Department of Health.
The Golden Plains Shire contributed $342,000 to the project. The kindergarten contributed $50,000.
As part of the commitment to make Victoria the Education State, the Government is delivering up to $83.7 million to help kinders transition to improved staff-to-child ratios.
The improved ratios are allowing staff to give more individual care and attention, and to develop even more meaningful relationships with kids, leading to better social and learning outcomes.
The Government is also investing $50 million in the early childhood sector through the building and upgrading of 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.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“The Andrews Labor Government is making Victoria the Education State – we are strengthening our early childhood education services so every child has the best start in
life.”
“I congratulate the community of Bannockburn for their fundraising efforts. This
upgrade is a great outcome for the children and families of the region.”
“We are committed to enhancing early childhood education and care services and to forming great partnerships with local government, the community sector and parents.”