$3.5 million overhaul of early learning to include upgrades at Armstrong Creek, Mount Duneed, Torquay and Freshwater Creek

Early learning facilities in Geelong’s south all the way to Torquay are in line for a $3.5 million overhaul.

Early learning facilities will get a $3.5 million overhaul in the South Barwon region

following state government funding.

A $2.25 million early learning centre will be built at the Armstrong Creek West Neighbourhood Child and Community Centre to provide access to family, community and early years services including 66 kindergarten places for three and four year old, more multipurpose space, and two maternal and child health spaces.

St Paul’s Lutheran Kindergarten at Grovedale, that operates two classrooms catering to 122 children through sessional three and four-year-old programs, will also receive $816,000 for an expansion that will add a new room.

The upgrade will allow the facility to increase the hours it offers for 44 three-year-old places, add a consultation room for families to access health and support services onsite including speech therapy, occupational therapy, developmental assessments.

Other government funded project include $50,000 each to Goodstart Early Learning Torquay and Freshwater Creek Steiner Kindergarten to improve learning spaces, and $386,000 for Mount Duneed Regional Primary School to install access ramps and upgrade paths to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

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Early Childhood Minister Ingrid Stitt said building more facilities for kindergarten was vital to ensuring strong early-years education.

“The evidence is clear that two years are better than one when it comes to early learning, which is why we are investing millions across Victoria to ensure every child has a place.”

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said: “Investing in the early years is vital to encouraging a strong educational future and fostering a lifelong love of learning.”

Originally published as $3.5 million overhaul of early learning to include upgrades at Armstrong Creek, Mount Duneed, Torquay and Freshwater Creek