Victoria’s Hepburn Kinder receives nearly $250k upgrade ahead of Three-Year-Old influx

Children and families in the Victorian suburb of Hepburn, best known for its mineral springs, are set to benefit from an expansion and upgrade of facilities ahead of the roll out of three- year-old kindergarten programs in the region in 2021. 

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas announced the funding late last month, with Hepburn Kindergarten to receive $240,190 in funding to undertake a major upgrade through the Victorian Government’s Children’s Facilities Capital Program (CFCP). 

The Victorian Government is investing a total of $180,142 to the project, with Hepburn Shire Council contributing $60,048.

A new bathroom and laundry are on the cards, as well as an upgrade to the existing kitchen, improvements in  the outdoor play area, and improved accessibility. The CFCP allows Children’s Facilities to apply for grants of up to $2,000,000 for the expansion or refurbishment of kindergarten facilities.

Three-Year-Old Kindergarten will commence in Victoria from next year, starting in six regional local government areas – South Gippsland, Buloke, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, Strathbogie and Yarriambiack, with the program to be progressively rolled out across the state.

By 2022, the three-year-old kindergarten program will roll out statewide, with children to have access to at least five hours of kindergarten per week. 

More information about the three-year-old kindergarten program may be accessed here.