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Families in Ouyen will have access to the bigger and better first-rate early years facilities they deserve, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education Sonya Kilkenny today visited Mallee Minors Childcare Centre Ouyen to officially open its $178,779 upgrade.

The upgrade included an extension of the building to co-locate a Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program, provide an additional reception and multipurpose area, and give families access to a wider range services such as Maternal and Child Health and speech pathology services.

The centre has also been refurbished to provide children with a nicer learning environment to enjoy so they can get the most out of their time at kindergarten.

The Labor Government provided Mallee Track Health and Community Service more than $157,000 towards the project through a Children’s Facilities Capital Program grant.

The state’s biggest early education build will continue over the coming years, with the Government to invest more than $1.68 billion over the next decade to build or upgrade approximately 1,000 kinders.

This is part of the Labor Government’s $5 billion commitment to deliver a full 15 hours of three-year-old kinder to every Victorian child over the next decade, with the roll-out beginning in 2020.

This is about ensuring Ouyen families have access to stronger support in early childhood, so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.

As stated by Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education Sonya Kilkenny

“This exciting and upgraded facility will ensure families in Ouyen have access to the fantastic early childhood services they deserve.”

“Making Victoria the Education State starts with the early years, which is why we’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services.”

As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp

“It’s great to see this fantastic facility now open for families in Ouyen thanks to this investment from the Andrews Labor Government.”