Woodend kinder’s new outdoor play space complete

Children at Woodend Kindergarten will now be able to enjoy their brand new inclusive outdoor learning space, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today announced that construction on the Woodend Kinder upgrade is now complete.

The project was made possible through a $198,000 funding boost from the Andrews Government’s Pick My Project initiative, an online community grants program that gave members of the community a chance to suggest project ideas and then vote to decide which ones were funded.

The Kindergarten also received $152,000 from the Government’s Children Facilities Capital Program and $120,000 from Macedon Ranges Shire Council, and made their own $5,000 contribution.

Though three-year-old kindergarten classes are currently suspended at the kindergarten due to COVID-19, four-year-olds who are attending the service have been able to use their new play area.

Woodend Kindergarten also received $6,193 as part of the Inclusive Kindergarten Funding program, which has been used to purchase a range of sensory equipment, ensuring all children attending the kinder can participate in a range of activities.

The Labor Government will invest more than $1.6 billion over the next decade to build approximately 785 new kinders and expand 170 existing services.

The is part of a $5 billion plan to ensure every Victorian child has access to at least five hours of subsidised three-year-old kinder by 2022, progressively scaled up to 15 hours per week over the next decade.

This will be the largest social, economic and educational reform ever undertaken in early childhood learning in Victoria’s history.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"As a Pick My Project winner, it’s clear that this upgrade of the Woodend Kindergarten means so much to many in our community."

"Although not every child enrolled at the kinder can experience this wonderful new play space right now, I am sure it will be loved by everyone once all children are able to return."