The Andrews Labor Government is helping ensure Camberwell children get the most out of their time at kindergarten, thanks to a new inclusive playground upgrade and a new Mandarin language program.
Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Nina Taylor today visited the Through Road Kindergarten in Camberwell to officially open a new upgrade and launch the new Early Childhood Language Program at the kindergarten.
The Andrews Labor Government provided Through Road Kindergarten $200,000 to complete the playground works, which includes a soft fall play area, water feature, rock garden, and nature-based play equipment. The aim of the works is to provide a more inclusive environment for children with disabilities or additional needs.
This project is part of the Inclusive Kindergarten Facilities Program, which provides funding to upgrade buildings and playgrounds or buy equipment to provide more accessible and inclusive environments. Up to $200,000 is provided to kindergarten services to undertake buildings and playgrounds upgrades.
This is about ensuring Camberwell families have access to stronger support in early childhood, so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.
This kindergarten – where students are learning Mandarin – is one of around 160 across the state that will deliver a language program this year, thanks to a $17.9 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government for the Early Childhood Language Program.
Weekly language sessions of up to three hours will be delivered in about 150 kindergarten services and a further 10 will be bilingual kindergartens, where children will benefit from half their program being offered in a language other than English.
These programs include in a range of languages including Mandarin, Punjabi, Arabic, Italian, Vietnamese, French, Spanish, Auslan and Aboriginal languages.
Making Victoria the Education State starts with the early years. That’s why, in an Australian first, the Labor Government is investing almost $5 billion over the next decade to deliver a full 15 hour per week kindergarten program for three-year-old children, to be progressively rolled out from 2020.
“I’m delighted we’re helping kindergartens such as Through Road Kindergarten upgrade their infrastructure to create more inclusive and accessible environments.”
—Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Nina Taylor
“It’s really fantastic to see children at Through Road Kindergarten enjoying their new inclusive play space and learning another language.”
—Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Nina Taylor
“Through Road Kindergarten are bringing the Education State vision to life in Camberwell.”