Liam McNally
The new Mt Atkinson Children’s and Community Centre is holding a Grand Opening event on Saturday, May 27.
Melton council is inviting the community visit the amazing facility and explore what the centre has to offer.
There will be free activities for the whole family to enjoy including arts and crafts, food, roving entertainment and more.
The $6.8 million centre was completed at the end of last year with funding from council and the state government.
The site boasts a four-room Kindergarten, outdoor play spaces, Maternal Child Health facilities, a community centre with two community rooms and community kitchen, a community outdoor space and a carpark with two EV charging stations.
Jennifer Flemming is the mother of Annabelle, who has been attending the kindergarten in its first year of operation.
Ms Flemming said her daughter was nervous about going to kindergarten but the staff have been “fantastic”.
“The teachers are awesome, friendly, welcoming, respectful and kind, since day one it has felt really welcoming and like we belong there,” she said.
“They’ve been proactive at collaborating with parents…they explained what goals they had for Annabelle, and listened to what goals I had.”
For Ms Flemming, the new facility is “everything you could want in a kinder”.
“They’re brand new great facilities… it’s really really nice,” she said.
“If we didn’t have a kinder there we would have to travel 10-15 minutes to the nearest one, it’s a big help to have one within walking distance.”
Melton Mayor Lara Carli said the new facility is a space for all in the local area to access “lifelong learning opportunities – from 3 and 4 year old kindergarten to a range of community programs”.
“Everyone’s invited to explore our new children’s and community facility and check out what’s on offer at the community event on Saturday, May 27,” she said.
