Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today visited the Colac East Kindergarten and inspected the recently upgraded facility.
The $385,000 upgrade was funded by the Andrews Government, in conjunction with Barwon Child, Youth and Family, Colac Otway Shire and the Colac East Kindergarten Committee.
The project increased Colac East Kindergarten’s capacity, including an additional 15 four-year-old kinder places.
Thirty three children can now comfortably fit into the main teaching space, and there is improved provision for staff, children and families in the centre.
Colac East Kindergarten children presented Ms Tierney with a painting after the tour.
Colac East is part of a cluster of kindergartens in Colac falling under Barwon Child, Youth and Family.
Ms Tierney announced that two other kindergartens in the cluster – Wydinia Kindergarten and Early Learning Centre, and Winifred Nance Kindergarten – have each been successful in their applications for information technology grants. The grants will be used to purchase new desktop computers for staff and volunteer use.
They are among 23 kinders in Western Victoria to receive IT grants.
This minor grants program is just part of a record $123.6 million investment to build, expand and improve early years infrastructure across Victoria to ensure local families can continue to access great local kindergartens, including $10 million targeting growth areas.
Families are set to benefit from the Government’s $202.1 million Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan, which provides strong support in early childhood so kids are ready for kinder and ready for school.
For more information on recipients and the program, go to schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“I’m so pleased to see the fantastic upgrade of Colac East Kindergarten, and proud that the Andrews Labor Government is giving such strong support to Colac district communities for early childhood education.”
“Kindergartens are a key part of community facilities and services, so it’s crucial that they are well provided for in terms of modern up to date equipment.”
