Little learners at Heritage College have a new space in which to learn following the opening of an upgraded and expanded early learning centre at the school.
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas visited Heritage College on Monday 17 May to open the centre in an event hosted by principal Sonny Aiono, with staff, students and families in attendance.
$500,000 in funding for this important project was provided by the Victorian Government under the Children’s Facilities Capital Program Major Grant – Early Learning Facility Upgrade grant, with Seventh-day Adventist Schools (Victoria) Limited providing $289,752.
This upgrade was delivered by Kneeler Design Architects and Chippa Constructions and will increase the kindergarten’s capacity at the school with two classrooms, a reception area, office, amenities, and landscaping works.
The centre will allow local families to have more choices with long day care, outside school hours care, and vacation care services.
In an Australian-first, the State Government has provided almost $5 billion to deliver a full 15 hours of three-year-old kinder to every Victorian child over the next decade, with the roll-out beginning in 2020.
As part of this roll-out, the State Government is upgrading infrastructure through a $1.68 billion co-investment with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state.
This investment includes the delivery of a number of new kindergartens on existing school sites – as at Heritage College – to support the roll-out of the program, providing benefits through co-location of facilities and convenience for families.
Speaking on the day, Mr Maas said the opening of the upgraded early learning centre would make things more convenient for busy parents dropping off multiple children at school and kinder.
He said the upgraded space was a testament to the school’s vision.
“I am rapt, completely rapt, that the State Government has invested to allow this school’s vision to be completed.
“I congratulate the school on its vision, on making this all happen,” he said.
“The upgraded Early Learning Centre at Heritage College is just another step towards ensuring that our youngest students get a head start by receiving a high-quality education in modern and functional spaces.”
