The Andrews Labor Government is delivering more kinder places for the growing Wonthaggi community, with new and expanded kinders opening across the region.
Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt and Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale today officially opened the new kindergarten room and maternal and child health facilities at Drysdale Street Kindergarten – both co-located with Wonthaggi Primary School, bringing essential services for families together under one roof.
The new kindergarten room creates 33 extra places for Three and Four-Year-Old Kinder, with new outdoor learning space giving children more room to learn through play, and new parking facilities making drop-off and pick-up times easier for parents.
Delivered in partnership with Bass Coast Shire Council, the expansion was built off-site using modular construction – minimising disruption to the local school and community and bringing the new kinder space to life more quickly.
The Drysdale Street Kindergarten expansion is one of more than 31 kindergartens on or near school sites delivered since 2021, helping children across the state make a smoother transition to primary school and helping more parents ditch the dreaded double drop-off.
An extra 10 kindergartens on or near school sites will be delivered in 2024 – giving even more children and their families access to early learning centres for the best start in life.
Through our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Labor Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents – especially women – to return to work or study if they choose.
As part of the Victorian Budget 2023/24, the Labor Government is continuing to deliver the kindergarten infrastructure Victoria needs, with an extra $1.2 billion for new kinders at or near government schools, low-fee non-government schools and local council sites.
We are also delivering 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres, the first four of which will open in 2025, while an additional $10 million in Building Blocks Improvement Grants will support upgrades and maintenance for kindergartens across Victoria.
As stated by Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
“We are building and expanding kindergartens across the state to make it easier for families to access these important services.”
“Our nation-leading early childhood reforms are giving every Victorian child the best start in life, while putting more money into the pockets of hard-working families and encouraging new parents back into the workforce.”
As stated by Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
“Wonthaggi families now have more options for kinder and early learning, with quick and easy access to a great local primary school right next door.”
