Supporting More Little Victorians In The Yarra Ranges

Photo: Box Hill Institute

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos today visited Box Hill Institute in Lilydale to officially open the $6.6 million facility, which includes two kindergarten rooms, a toy library and garden.

It will be able to cater for 50 kinder and 76 childcare places as well as provide families access to Maternal and Child Health services, community playgroups and other family services.

The kinder service integrates elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in their play and activities and has an early childhood educator who speaks in Mandarin.

The Labor Government contributed $6.1 million towards the centre, including a $1.6 million major grant towards the centre through the Children’s Facilities Capital Program.

It is part of a record $123.6 million the Labor Government is investing to build, expand and improve early years infrastructure across Victoria to ensure local families can continue to access great local kindergartens.

It has led to an additional 8,250 kindergarten places for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as hundreds of new and revamped early learning facilities and playgroups since 2014.

Lilydale families are also benefitting from the Government’s $202.1 million "Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan", which provides strong support in early childhood, so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.