$148,586 grant for Dindi

■ Murrindindi Shire Council is preparing to engage suitable professionals to begin planning and design work for future upgrades to kindergartens in Alexandra and Yea, after securing a $148,586 grant.

The Council will also develop a plan to support the attraction, retention and development of the local early childhood workforce.

Murrindindi Shire was announced as one of the first local government areas for the preprep (Four-Year Old Kinder) roll out between 2025-2032 under the Best Start, Best Life reforms, which aims to increase kindergarten programs to 30 hours per week, up from the current 15 hours per week.

The Council applied for funding under the State Building Blocks grants program, following a review of early childhood infrastructure and service requirements in the Shire

The review identified capacity challenges at the Alexandra and Yea kindergarten facilities, which would impact our ability to meet increased demand for pre-prep program hours.

Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Cr John Walsh said: “Council is aware of the nationwide challenges around attracting and retaining early childhood staff, and we know our commu-

● ● ● ● Cr John Walsh, Murrindindi Mayor nities are struggling to access these vital services locally, with long wait lists, ageing infrastructure and little capacity to expand.

“Our population is increasing and with the current hours of local kindergarten services set to double from 2025, action needs to be taken to avoid children missing out on two free years of pre-school education.

“As part of the infrastructure planning work, we’ll also be preparing a workforce plan to help us engage and retain educators to support families and children in our Shire,” Cr Walsh said.

Michael Nixon-Livy 100 Springthorpe Blvd, Macleod Phone 0493 571 111 www.nsthealth.com info@nsthealth.com