By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Diggers Rest Preschool is to get a $1.3 million overhaul.
The refurbishments, which will include an extension to the existing learning space, will create room for an additional 33 children.
The state government announced it would be contributing $350,000 towards the upgrades, with the remaining $979,000 to be funded by Melton council.
Early Childhood Education Minister Jenny Mikakos said more than 50 kindergartens across the state would be upgraded as part of the 2018-19 Children’s Facilities Capital Program.
The announcement came as Labor announced its election commitment to build 785 new kinders and upgrade 170 more.
“Universal access to three-year-old kinder is an Australian-first and, make no mistake, this will change lives,” Ms Mikakos said.
“We’ve promised to roll out three-year-old kinder and we’re backing it up, undertaking the biggest early education build our state has ever seen.”
The Digggers Rest upgrades are expected to start soon and finish by the end of next year.
Melton mayor Bob Turner thanked the state government for its contribution.
“The Diggers Rest Preschool will be extended in order to meet the service needs of children and families … in Diggers Rest,” he said.
“These renovations will help so many children get the best start to their education.”
