A new chapter for early learning in Orbost

The Victorian Coalition Government has invested $166,400 towards the redevelopment, which has enabled the co-location of a range of services in Orbost and acknowledged the $180,000 contribution towards the project from Orbost Kindergarten.

“This is an outstanding effort from Orbost Kindergarten,” Mr Bull said.

“It is an investment in the children of our community, not just now, but well into the future.”

East Gippsland Shire committed $3,000 to the project with additional funding of $5,500 from community service agencies and $5,100 from local business.

The new kindergarten room means the centre can deliver 15 hour programs for children in the year before school, as well as providing a base for Orbost Regional Health Child and Maternal Health Services, the Koorie Mums and Bubs program and the Science and Technology Education in Primary Schools (STEPS) support for parents of disabled children.

Mr Bull said, since December 2010 the Coalition Government has invested just over $1 million into East Gippsland early learning centre locations including, Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Swan Reach, Orbost, Swifts Creek, Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota.

Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell said record investments in early childhood infrastructure will enable many more communities to follow Orbost’s lead in 2013 and beyond.

“To ensure centres can keep up with growing populations and an increasing demand for services, the Coalition Government has invested $93 million in state and national partnership funding since December 2010 to build or upgrade children’s services across the state,” Ms Lovell said.                            

“This funding has enabled the vast majority of Victorian services to offer 15 hour programs and more places.”

Ms Lovell said the benefits of investing in early years capital projects were shared across the whole community.

“So far, our investments have directly contributed to the creation of more than 300 construction jobs in Victoria,” Ms Lovell said.