Early childhood boost for Melaleuca Park

MOUNT Gambier’s Melaleuca Park Kindergarten is on of three new integrated hubs that will open across South Australia, giving families easier access to early education along with health and wellbeing services under one roof.

The hubs will provide extra support for children who need it most to improve their learning and development outcomes.

Each hub will deliver a Preschool Plus program of up to 30 hours a week for 3 and 4 year-olds.

The integrated hubs model includes additional health, wellbeing and other education services to help families and children access the support they need in one place.

South Australian Education Minister Lucy Hood said that we know that two years of early childhood education make a big difference, especially for children who need extra support.

“Through our integrated hubs, we are providing up to 30 hours of play-based learning for children who will benefit the most – alongside wraparound services tailored to their needs,” Minister Hood said. “This will set all kids up for the best start in life.

“We are making sure regional communities don’t miss out on our $1.9 billion investment in the early years. Mount Gambier is a growing centre for young families, and this new integrated hub will ensure the local community can access this important service. “

The latest announcement will see $13.1 million invested in significant infrastructure upgrades across the three sites, adding a total 160 Preschool Plus places in regional and metropolitan areas.

The hubs are part of the South Australian Government’s commitment to establish 20 integrated hubs across the state by 2032.

At Melaleuca Park Kindergarten, site infrastructure will be upgraded to accommodate the new hub – creating 40 Preschool Plus places and a community space.

Concept design works will start next month with the hub set to open to families in 2029.

Melaleuca Park Kindergarten director Rebecca Huebner was very excited that Melaleuca Park Kindergarten has been chosen to become an integrated hub and the opportunities it would bring to the cohort, their families and the community.

“In a regional area like Mount Gambier, finding the types of support your child needs can be difficult,” she said. “To be able to have access to things like allied health specialists all within the one site is just huge for our children and their families.”

In the lead up to the hubs commencing, the Office for Early Childhood Development will work with the nominated sites, local service providers and the community to design the services available to meet the needs of families and children in the area.

The new hubs are an important part of South Australia’s landmark $1.9 billion early childhood reform agenda, the most significant investment in early childhood in the state’s history.