Four new kinders to open for Term 1

FOUR new kindergartens across the Geelong region will open their doors for Term 1 this year, and registrations are being accepted at all of them.

Armstrong Creek’s Biyala Primary School Kindergarten and Biyala Community Hub Kindergarten, the Marshalltown Road Kindergarten in Grovedale and Belmont’s Oberon Kindergarten are all taking expressions of interest.

KU Children’s Services was recently named as the new operator for Biyala Primary School Kindergarten and Biyala Community Hub Kindergarten through the City of Greater Geelong’s tender process.

Established in 1895, KU Children’s Services is well known for its commitment to supporting exceptional outcomes for children through high quality, inclusive, play-based learning programs and providing a high level of support to teachers, educators and staff.

“We’re thrilled to bring KU’s high-quality early childhood education to Armstrong Creek in partnership with the Biyala Primary School Kindergarten and Biyala Community Hub,” KU Children’s Services chief executive officer Christine Legg said.

“We wish to offer our special thanks to the City of Greater Geelong in addition to the Department of Education and Victorian School Building Authority for all their support.”

Families can make an expression of interest for the two Biyala kindergartens online at ku.com.au/childcare-centres/geelong/biyala-community-armstrong-creek

The Department of Education has selected Gowrie Victoria to deliver services for the first time in the Geelong region at Marshalltown Road Kindergarten (66 places) and Oberon Kindergarten (99 places).

These new kindergartens are set to offer free sessional programs for three- and four-year-old children and are conveniently located at primary schools.

Gowrie Victoria has been an industry leader for 85 years for its high-quality early learning programs and qualified early childhood teachers. Its play-based programs are designed around each child’s individual interests, strengths and learning needs.

Gowrie Victoria CEO Karen Weston said her organisation looked forward to joining the Geelong community.

“We are absolutely delighted to partner with the Geelong community, Grovedale Primary School and Oberon Primary School to provide exceptional early learning for local children.

“Gowrie Victoria is driven by our purpose to see all children flourish. We believe in creating stimulating, natural, and inviting play spaces where children can imagine, create, and discover.

“We look forward to building strong, lasting relationships with the children, families, and community in Geelong.”

To make an expressions of interest for Marshalltown Road Kindergarten and Oberon Kindergarten, head to geelong.link/KindergartenRegistrations

Geelong mayor Cr Stretch Kontelj said the arrival of two new experienced providers would further strengthen the municipality’s early years services.

“Well done to KU Children’s Services and Gowrie Victoria for being selected to run these four kindergartens.

“Both are known as leading not-for-profit early learning providers and are well placed to deliver high-quality, play-based early learning in line with the state’s Best Start, Best Life reforms.

“We’re proud to partner with KU Children’s Services and Gowrie Victoria to deliver more conveniently located kindergarten options for our growing population.

“I encourage families living in surrounding areas to quickly register their interest to secure their child’s spot.”