By Charlene Macaulay
Early learning and kindergarten services in Wyndham are attracting big dollars and have formed the basis of a number of state and federal election promises.
Last week, the sod was turned on the new $5.5 million Truganina East Integrated Facility Learning Centre which, once complete, will provide 231 four-year-old kinder places, maternal and child health support, playgroups and health workshops.
The centre, which will be co-located with the Dohertys Creek P-9 College that is under construction, is jointly funded by Wyndham council ($3.1 million) and the state government ($2.4 million) and is slated for completion by January 2020.
Early Childhood Education Minister Jenny Mikakos said the centre would allow families to access the services they need closer to home.
“Integrated early childhood services make a big difference to children’s lives and we’re ensuring kids in the west get the best start in life,” she said.
Wyndham council mayor Peter Maynard added: “Once complete, this project will provide local families in the growing suburb of Truganina with access to a range of family services”.
Meanwhile, the federal opposition has committed to ongoing four-year-old kinder funding from the year 2020 if elected to government.
The incumbent federal government has committed to providing its share of kinder funding until the end of 2019.
Lalor MP Joanne Ryan said Labor’s election promise was the biggest ever investment in early education for children.
“Under our plan, over the forward estimates in Victoria alone, from the year 2021 – 128,000 three year olds will be able to access 15 hours of subsidised care,” Ms Ryan said.
This follows earlier election commitments from both state and federal Labor to deliver an extra year of subsidised kindergarten for three-year-olds.
