Early $2-million boost for kids

By Lachlan Ellis

An initial $3.5 million investment for a new ‘Early Years Hub’ has been given an extra $2 million, with the Hub due to be completed next year.

The ‘West Maddingley Early Years and Community Hub’ had $3.5 million allocated under the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund last April, and this year, a further $2 million in funding has been announced.

Moorabool Shire Council was successful in seeking the extra funding under the State Government’s ‘Building Blocks Capacity Building Grant’, which will fund an integrated children’s centre at the Hub.

Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan said West Maddingley is growing at a rapid rate, and is home to many young families.

“To receive this funding and be secure in the knowledge we can go ahead and build another great early years facility is fantastic news,” he said.

“So much research has shown how vital education is in those first few years of life, the pre-school years. The West Maddingley Early Years Hub will provide integrated, inclusive, and collaborative early years services and community spaces that offer access to high quality health, education, care and other child and family services. It will offer three- and four-year-old kindergarten, maternal and child health services, playgroups, parent groups and has consulting rooms for visiting services and community spaces.

“We thank the State Government for its investment in this important project and look forward to construction being completed on the hub in mid-late 2023.”

State Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, said she was also pleased to see the extra funding go towards the Hub, located in one of Moorabool’s most rapidly growing areas.

“Maddingley and Bacchus Marsh are rapidly growing suburbs, and creating additional places for our children at kindergarten is crucial to ensuring all children can participate,” she told the Moorabool News.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-04-12/4

in the 12 April 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.