A new integrated community centre delivering child and family services will be built in Corinella as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s election promise to invest $50 million in the early childhood sector.

Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria Region, joined community members and Council representatives in Corinella today to announce the major grant of $900,000 under the Children’s Facilities Capital Program – for the construction of a new hub to bring a range of family services under the one roof.

The major grant will address growing demand for early years education and family services in the Bass Coast Shire and will significantly improve access and equity for families and children all over the region.

The new hub will provide improved services for a large number of rural and isolated townships of the Shire, including a funded kindergarten program, long day care, 3 year-old kindergarten, occasional care, Maternal Child Health, family services, early intervention programs, and research partnerships.

A total of 83 urgently-needed places will be provided across the centre’s kindergarten, long day care and occasional care programs.

The community’s vision is for a centre of excellence that provides a range of education, care, health and support services and programs that can meet the current and future needs of families and children from the area.

Through investments like this the Andrews Labor Government is delivering infrastructure to areas with the strongest demand for high-quality early education and care services.

It is also providing up to $83.7 million over four years to support the implementation of improved educator-to-child ratios from January 2016.

Families will benefit from improved ratios, which will allow more one-on-one time for every child and boost the value they receive from time spent at kindergarten in preparation for school.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

“This major grant of $900,000 is a huge win for the community, and it’s a really positive recognition of the collaboration work between the community, the Shire Council and Andrews Labor Government to secure better funding.”

“A significant baby boom in recent years has created an urgent need to invest in centres like this that will benefit Bass Coast families for years to come.”

“Gippsland deserves better services and infrastructure for education and early childhood development, particularly after having to make do for many years. The Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to improving access to high-quality early childhood education and family services is a huge win for families who will benefit from the hub.”

“We know that integrating family services with kinder programs makes accessing quality education, support and resources flexible and convenient for children and parents.”