Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Clarinda electorate early childhood education

Meng Heang TAK (Clarinda) (19:11): (616) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Children in the other place, and the action I seek is for the minister to join me in visiting the Springvalley preschool in Springvale South. I am really hoping to get to Springvalley preschool in Springvale South sometime in the near future. This is a wonderful local preschool, and it is the recipient of a Building Blocks inclusion grant, receiving over $120,000 for the redevelopment of the sandpit and the cubby area to make those more accessible for all abilities. This is very exciting, and I hope the minister can join me to celebrate this and to see the great work happening at Springvalley.

We have had some fantastic results recently through the Building Blocks inclusion grant scheme. Acacia Avenue kindergarten in Mentone is another one of the recipients, which is a fantastic result for the kinder and for the community. I was really proud to visit last month to have a chat about the over $45,000 in support for the acoustic treatment for the three- and four-year-old kindergarten play space. That is really significant and something that will help to make sure that all children at Acacia Avenue get the best start to their lives, no matter their ability.

These are fantastic initiatives that this government is very proud to support, making sure that everyone has the facilities and equipment they need for a great start in life, no matter their ability. We can see the commitment this government has to early childhood education and care, leading the nation and delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services so our youngest learners have a world-class local kindergarten to learn and to grow in. We have seen that investment in the Best Start, Best Life reforms – some $14 billion invested by the Allan Labor government, transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents, especially women, to return to work or study if they choose to. These are amazing initiatives. I commend the minister and hope she can join me in visiting these amazing local preschools, and I look forward to her response.