A new kindergarten upgrade in Dandenong will help children and families access quality early childhood services, as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $50 million investment in the early childhood sector.

Gabrielle Williams MP said the Labor Government had allocated $350,000 for Yarraman Kindergarten and Family and Children Services Centre, to upgrade and extend its early learning facilities.

This enhanced community hub will bring together a range of services to support families and children, including three and four year old kindergarten programs, MCH and allied health, playgroups and parents groups. The project will provide 66 new places for both three and four year old kindergarten programs. This will allow the facility to meet increased demand for kindergarten services in the area.

These grants will help give Dandenong families flexible, accessible and affordable early learning and care services.

Through investments like this the Labor Government is delivering infrastructure to areas with the strongest demand for high-quality early education and care services.

It is also providing up to $83.7 million over four years in additional funding to support the implementation of improved educator-to-child ratios from 1 January 2016.

Families will benefit from improved ratios, which will allow more one-on-one time for every child and boost the value they receive from time spent at kindergarten in preparation for school.

The Labor Government is committed to making Victoria the Education State – and this begins with giving every child a strong start in life.