- Published:
- Wednesday 8 May 2024
More children in Melbourne’s south-east will get the best start to their education, with a new $400,000 Building Blocks Improvement grant that has transformed the Heritage College Early Learning Centre in Officer.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Pakenham Emma Vulin today visited the centre, which has undergone significant upgrades to rearrange and extend the building – making room for more children.
The project has increased its capacity by up to 44 places and created additional space to grow its Three-Year-Old Kinder, Four-Year-Old Kinder and long daycare programs. The centre now offers up to 132 places thanks to the expansion and modernisation of the building’s interior.
There is also greater accessibility for children with disabilities and mobility impairments, sensory experiences, and enhanced sustainability.
The grant has also provided improvements to outdoor spaces including landscaping and increased undercover/shaded areas for year-round outdoor play to come.
Works have also been completed to modernise the centre, making it easier to run indoor and outdoor activities at the same time.
Heritage College Early Learning Centre is co-located with Heritage College, a Kinder to Year 12 school that incorporates a long daycare service into its kinder program which is ideal for parents who are working or studying.
The Allan Labor Government is building and expanding hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting Free Kinder for three and four year olds.
Through our nation-leading Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Labor Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money, and support parents and carers to return to work or study if they choose.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
“The modernisation and expansion of Heritage College Early Learning Centre is just another example of the Allan Labor Government’s reform to give children the best start in life.”
“We’re ensuring that the enhanced learning and social benefits this project will provide will set children up for success well into their school years and beyond.”
Quote attributable to Member for Pakenham Emma Vulin
“The transformation of Heritage College Early Learning Centre provides parents and children with the type of learning environment they expect and deserve.”