Two ECEC centres opened in Melbourne’s east

Victorian Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos has officially opened two childcare and kindergarten developments in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The $6.6 million Lilydale Lakeside Children’s Centre, which includes two kindergarten rooms, a toy library and a children’s garden will cater for 50 kinder and 76 childcare places, as well as provide families access to Maternal and Child Health services, community playgroups and other family services.

The kinder service integrates elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in their play and activities and has an early childhood educator who speaks in Mandarin.

In addition, the first stage of the redevelopment of Ringwood East’s EACH Integrated Children’s Centre has opened, which will increase the number of four year old kinder places at the centre from 22 to 33, and boost childcare places from 90 to 122.

The centre now also has a commercial quality kitchen, new spacious rooms with play areas and beautifully landscaped outdoor areas, including an Aboriginal art installation.

This expansion is the first stage of a major redevelopment project, which will also include a new family hub on-site to provide integrated child and family services as part of the second stage.

The second stage will provide rooms for Maternal and Child Health services, an expanded dental clinic, as well as family, counselling, Aboriginal health and refugee health services.

Both centre developments are part of the Victorian Government’s $123.6 million plan to build, expand and improve early years infrastructure across Victoria. The plan has led to an additional 8,250 kindergarten places for three and four year olds, as well as hundreds of new and revamped early learning facilities and playgroups since 2014.