Whittlesea will have three new integrated kindergartens in 2016.
The state government is committing $3.56 million to deliver an extra 330 kindergarten places across the three centres: Epping, Doreen and South Morang.
Whittlesea mayor Mary Lalios said the new centres – Farmhouse Child and Family Centre in Epping, Bassetts Road Integrated Children’s Centre in Doreen, and Redgum Child and Family Centre in South Morang – would help meet demand for early years services in an area that has experienced a surge in birth rates in recent years.
“As one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Australia, we have experienced a significant increase in the demand for kindergarten, particularly over the past five years,” Cr Lalios said.
“When it comes to meeting future demand, there is much work to be done and we can’t achieve it on our own.
“Partnerships with key stakeholders such as the state government are an integral part of providing the community with the services and infrastructure they need and deserve.”
The City of Whittlesea will fund $3 million of the $4.6 million Farmhouse Child and Family Centre, with the rest coming from the state government.
The centre will offer 132 four-year-old kindergarten places, 88 three-year-old places, maternal and child health (MCH) services, early childhood intervention (ECIS) and allied services. The $3.28 million Bassets Road Integrated Children’s Centre will be funded by the state government ($1.31 million), site owners Simon and Jenny Kearney ($1.8 million) and Melbourne City Mission ($161,517), which will operate the centre.
It will provide 81 places for long-day sessions, up to 66 four-year-old kindergarten places and up to 22 three-year-old places, as well as MCH, ECIS services and supported playgroups.
The $1.03 million Redgum Child and Family Centre will be funded with $650,000 from the state government and $382,000 from the City of Whittlesea.
It will offer 132 four-year-old kindergarten places and 88 three-year-old kindergarten places alongside playgroups, parenting programs and MCH and allied health services.
Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Wendy Lovell, Northern Metropolitan Region Liberal MP Craig Ondarchie, Northern Victoria MP Amanda Millar, Yan Yean Liberal candidate Sam Ozturk and Cr Lalios were at Laurimar Kindergarten last Wednesday to make the announcement.
Four new kindergartens are set to open for the start of the 2015 school year in Doreen, Mernda and Epping North.
