The Andrews Labor Government is delivering richer early learning experiences for Victorian kids while providing elderly Victorians better care environments, with the opening of The Herd Intergenerational Learning Centre.
Backed with $500,000 in funding from the Labor Government and now open – The Herd is the first centre in Victoria to offer an intergenerational approach under the one roof, delivering life-changing care and learning experiences to some of the state’s youngest and oldest Victorians.
The centre will offer 66 early learning places, helping meet demand for three-and four-year-old kindergarten in the Mornington area, while delivering a unique curriculum that engages its aged care facility to participate in early learning activities and experiences.
The Herd’s intergenerational model of care provides opportunities for children and aged care residents to come together five days a week, enjoying activities which include art, music, storytelling and social interaction.
Frequent social engagement will provide The Herd’s aged care residents with significant benefits to physical well-being and mental health, while interactions with elderly Victorians will deliver young students with enhanced social and emotional development.
The project was funded through the former Children’s Facilities Capital program, which evolved to become the Building Blocks Grants program.
Building Blocks has funded new kindergarten buildings, expansions and improvements, supporting the sector to create additional kindergarten places across the state.
It has also allowed the expansion of early learning and created closer working relationships with local government and not-for-profit providers to deliver more, and better integrated, family and community services.
Since it was launched in 2020, Building Blocks has provided $189 million to improve facilities at 275 kindergarten services across the state and increase the number of places at centres where extra capacity is needed most.
Over the next decade the Labor Government is delivering a massive $9 billion investment in early childhood education and care, saving families money and supporting women to return to the workforce.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
“We’re delivering record investment in early childhood education, ensuring every Victorian kid has the opportunity for the very best start to their education and life.”
“We’ve backed this new initiative to deliver better learning outcomes for some of the youngest Victorians, while delivering a care environment that brings unique benefits to some of the state’s oldest Victorians.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
“This new initiative means better early learning for local kids and families, while offering our valued older residents more social interactions and better care.”
Reviewed 03 March 2023