Wednesday, 30 October 2024

Ministers statements: early childhood education

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:14): I rise to update the house on the 50 early learning childcare centres that the Allan Labor government is building across Victoria by 2032. Earlier this week I had the pleasure of announcing the six early learning childcare centres (ELCC) set to open in 2027, alongside the member for Kororoit in the other place. These six facilities will be located in Avoca, Cohuna, Foster, Mildura, Newborough and Nicholson and will provide over 500 places for children across Victoria when and where they are needed most.

Members interjecting.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: I can hear the excitement is shared across the room as many members have advocated passionately for early education in their electorates, including member for Northern Victoria Mrs Tyrrell, who has advocated for the importance of early learning infrastructure in Cohuna, which will become home to an ELCC co-located with the Cohuna Consolidated School. Along with Cohuna, three other ELCCs will be located alongside local schools, which will support families to ditch the double drop-off and allow for children to have a smoother transition to school. Not only are many of these centres co-located on school sites, but most locations will provide space for other supports, including maternal and child health services and playgroups, because we know that services work better when they are together.

These centres highlight the strength of the children’s portfolio as they bring together universal services of health and education to provide more targeted family services and supports. The fees for these services will be set at lower than average rate for each area to provide further support for low-income families, because this government believes that all families and all children should have equal access to high-quality early learning.

I would also like to remind everyone that the first four ELCCs that will be opening next year are in Sunshine, Eaglehawk North, Fawkner and Murtoa, and they are currently open for enrolments via the Early Learning Victoria website. We look forward to visiting these new centres once they are completed and hearing how they are able to positively contribute to their local communities as they begin operations.