Altona North’s parents will soon have another option for their children, with Labor announcing funding towards creating a new modular kindergarten in the area.
Delivered in partnership with Hobsons Bay council, the new kinder will use part of the $14.7 million funding package, which will also contribute towards the construction of three more new kindergartens and upgrades to four kindergarten facilities across the state.
The projects will create about 450 free kindergarten places as part of Labor’s Best Start, Best Life program, which includes a $9 billion investment over the next decade to save families up to $2500 per child per year.
Under the program, three year-old kindergarten is currently rolling out across the state, expanding universal access to 15 hours of government-funded kinder every week.
Three and four year-old kindergarten services will also be free from 2023 onwards.
Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Minister Minister Ingrid Stitt said the program will save families money and support the state’s economy.
“Best Start, Best Life will support 24,000 mothers back into the workforce and deliver a boost of up to $2.8 billion to the Victorian economy,” she said.
With 90 per cent of a child’s brain developing before the age of five, early education has a profound effect on the way children develop.
Details: www.vic.gov.au/kinder
