SOD TURNED FOR NEW KINDERGARTEN AT GORDON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Member for Eureka Michaela Settle today joined the local community to turn the first sod on the new Gordon Primary School Kindergarten, which will include two rooms and provide places for up to 118 local children.
The new service will make it easier for local families to access both kinder and school in one convenient location – supporting a smoother transition for children and a simpler drop-off for parents.
Three-year-olds are already benefitting from at least five hours of free kindergarten each week, with that increasing to 15 hours by 2029. From 2025, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will begin transitioning to ‘Pre-Prep’, doubling play-based learning to 30 hours a week. Evidence shows that two years of early learning leads to better educational and social outcomes that last well into school and beyond.
The Allan Labor Government is helping more families in Gordon access high-quality early learning with construction now underway on the new kindergarten at Gordon Primary School.
The Gordon Primary School Kindergarten is part of the Labor Government’s rollout of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, sharing in approximately $580 million in capital funding committed since the 2019–20 State Budget.
These works are part of the Labor Government’s $2.7 billion investment to build, modernise and expand kindergartens across Victoria, ensuring every child has access to two years of free kindergarten before school.
This milestone follows the recent announcement that the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) has become Victoria’s first Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation to operate as an Early Years Management authority. Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative has been appointed to run the new kindergarten at Gordon Primary School.
BADAC’s leadership in delivering culturally safe and inclusive early learning is an important step forward, ensuring more First Nations children can learn on Country, in community and with culture. Through the nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Victorian Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, support parents to return to work or study, and save families money.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle
“This new kindergarten will be a wonderful addition to the Gordon community. It means local families can access high-quality early learning close to home, giving children the best possible start to their education.”
“It’s exciting to see work beginning on this important project, and I look forward to coming back to see local children enjoying their new spaces once it’s complete.”
