New Playground Underway at Werribee West Children’s Centre
A new playground at the Werribee West Children’s Centre is one step closer to fruition after the sod was turned on stage two of the project this morning.
The $365,000 project includes a total upgrade of the existing playground and, once complete, will feature a new sandpit, mud pit, swings, open-ended deck areas, vegetable patch, climbing equipment, new pathways, log seating and landscaping.
Council’s City Design portfolio holder, Cr Josh Gilligan, said kids will be able to enjoy the new playground at the end of April.
“The upgraded playground will breathe new life into the outdoor space at the Werribee West Children’s Centre, giving kindergarten groups and playgroups a fun new play space to discover,” Cr Gilligan said.
“This upgrade was made possible thanks to a $350,000 Building Blocks Improvement Grant from the Department of Education and Training and the Victorian School Building Authority, and I’d like to thank them for their generous contribution.”
“This grant will also be used to develop a master plan for the future redevelopment of the entire Children’s Centre to cater for this growing community.”
“Council took over the interim operations of this centre earlier this year and is currently providing two three-year kindergarten groups, two playgroups, increased maternal and child health services and a sleep settle program.”
“The site will be leased to one of our early years partners for operations in 2022.”
Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt and Member for Werribee Tim Pallas MP today visited Werribee West Kindergarten to turn the sod on the next phase of construction of the outdoor upgrade project. Mr Pallas said, “This exciting project will give families in Werribee West access to a first-rate early learning centre and help their children get the most out of kinder before transitioning to school.”
The Victorian State Government is investing in the upgraded outdoor learning space through the previous Children’s Facilities Capital Program, which is now known as Building Blocks. Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt said, “Building the Education State starts with the early years – that’s why we are delivering a record investment into early childhood services.”
“Giving local families access to high-quality kindergarten close to home is vital to ensuring children have a world-class education in the early years.”
The Building Blocks program supports early childhood providers to create infrastructure capacity for three-year and four-year-old funded kindergarten services, improves early learning facilities and creates inclusive settings.