Yarra City Council officially opens Richmond Kindergarten

Yarra City Council has officially opened Richmond Kindergarten, a new state of the art facility which will expand the capacity for three and four year old kinder programs in the region. 

The Council has invested $2 million into the facility, with a $500,000 grant provided by the Victorian Government, and has increased the capacity from 56 children per week to 132 children per week. 

Along with the new kindergarten rooms, the updates have created a dedicated community room and garden space, with a mural by First Nations artist Rebecca Atkinson featuring Yarra’s native birds. Ms Atkinson works under the design name Nurratj Galnya meaning ‘dream sweet’ in Bangerang language.

The kindergarten is also environmentally sustainable and includes energy efficient features like:

• Water harvesting
• Sustainable taps to minimise water use
• Roof mounted solar panels
• Energy efficient technology including LED lighting, sensors in rooms and increased insulation in ceilings
• Removal of gas – everything is powered by electricity from renewable sources
• Use of recycled and repurposed timber and other building materials, where possible.

“Councils are the closest form of government to the community,” said Yarra City Council Mayor Claudia Nguyen. 

“The spaces in which we deliver services like early childhood education need to reflect the growing needs of the community.”

The Cubby House, Richmond Kindergarten and the Stables at 92-104 Lord Street and 19-27 Duke Street in Richmond are collectively called the Chas Farquhar community hub. 

For more information visit: Richmond Kindergarten | Yarra City Council