- Published:
- Wednesday 26 September 2018
Lilydale’s littlest residents can enjoy new kinder and childcare rooms, a toy library and children’s garden at the brand new Lilydale Lakeside Children’s Centre, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos today visited Box Hill Institute in Lilydale to officially open the $6.6 million facility, which includes two kindergarten rooms, a toy library and garden.
It will be able to cater for 50 kinder and 76 childcare places as well as provide families access to Maternal and Child Health services, community playgroups and other family services.
The kinder service integrates elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in their play and activities and has an early childhood educator who speaks in Mandarin.
The Labor Government contributed $6.1 million towards the centre, including a $1.6 million major grant towards the centre through the Children’s Facilities Capital Program.
It is part of a record $123.6 million the Labor Government is investing to build, expand and improve early years infrastructure across Victoria to ensure local families can continue to access great local kindergartens.
It has led to an additional 8,250 kindergarten places for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as hundreds of new and revamped early learning facilities and playgroups since 2014.
Lilydale families are also benefitting 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, ready for school and ready for life.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos
“We’re making it easier than ever for families to access the services they need to ensure their kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.”
“Lilydale Lakeside Children’s Centre is a great new facility for local families to enjoy with kinder, playgroups, a toy library and MCH and family services – all under one roof.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan Shaun Leane
“It’s amazing that not only did we save Lilydale TAFE from closure, but we’re giving students access to on-site childcare to make their lives easier.”