Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

More kindergarten places and modern facilities in Latrobe Valley with $3.68M funding from Building Blocks Partnership

Latrobe City Council and the Victorian government's Building Blocks Partnership will fund two kindergarten projects, creating 100+ new places and modernising facilities.

By news@gippsland - 24th March 2023 - Back to News

Families in Latrobe City can look forward to more kindergarten places and modern facilities thanks to a new Building Blocks Partnership between Latrobe City Council and the Victorian government. Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt announced the $3.68 million partnership, which will fund two kindergarten projects and create more than 100 new places for local families attending Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.

Latrobe City Council promotes kindergarten attendance, citing research that early education fosters lifelong skills

Expanding kindergarten places

The partnership includes $680,000 to upgrade and expand Parklane Preschool, increasing the kindergarten's capacity to provide up to 60 places for children attending three and four-year-old kindergarten. Work will start this year, with the renovated kindergarten to open in 2024.

A further $3 million will fund a new three-room modular kindergarten accommodating more than 100 places as part of the Pax Hill Kindergarten in Traralgon. The new facility is scheduled to open in 2025.

With more than 150 kindergarten places available at both services in coming years, the increased capacity will help meet demand for early years places in Traralgon and ensure more families can access a quality local kindergarten. Families across the municipality will also benefit from this Building Blocks Partnership, with planning under way for future kindergarten expansion projects in the region.

Supporting early childhood

Mayor of Latrobe City, Councillor Kellie O'Callaghan said more spaces opening in kindergartens provides great opportunities for childhood development. "The early years of a child's life are crucial for their healthy growth, wellbeing and development throughout life. Through the support of the Victorian government, more children will now be able to access kindergarten services in Latrobe City which will support and nurture our youngest community members in their formative years," said the Mayor.

"We know the importance of early education and thank the Victorian government for investing in our children's future by providing more opportunities for families to access kindergarten services in Latrobe." Cr O'Callaghan said. Learn more about council's kindergarten services at Kindergarten and Preschool page.

Pictures from Latrobe City Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com