New rooms double capacity

CHILDREN at Kardinia Early Learning Bannockburn were greeted to an expanded centre earlier this week with doors opened on two new classrooms.

The site’s addition caters for nearly 90 extra kids, doubling the service’s previous capacity of 44 placements.

Kardinia Early Learning Bannockburn director Christine Sawyer said the extension has been well received.

“[Tuesday] is our first day of operation in the new building so the children have been able to come in and see the space both inside and outside,” she said. “They’ve been extremely excited to delve into playing and exploring the outside spaces. Families have loved how beautiful it is and it’s exciting to be able to run at full capacity.

“As a whole service, we’re looking at 150 families on our waitlist. For us, this has given us the opportunity to offer an extra 44 families kindergarten and an extra 22 families long day care options.”

The expansion is part of a $5 million initiative for Golden Plains Shire kinder services through the State Government following the implementation of free kinder for children aged three and four years old.

Staff are following up the extension’s launch with an open day tomorrow from 9.30am to 11.30am during which Ms Sawyer said attendees will get a chance to check out the new facilities.

“We’ll have examples of the programs we offer children and families like our STEM and creative arts programs,” she said.

“There’ll also be a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony and free sausages so it’ll be great.”