Two new significant kindergarten upgrades in Maffra and Stratford were opened today thanks to a $599,700 investment by the Victorian Coalition Government.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, officially opened the centres today and said the $300,000 investment at Stratford has increased its capacity to provide 25 additional four-year-old kindergarten places at any one time, as well as providing an additional playroom, kitchen, bathroom and extra storage.

“We have also invested $299,700 in Maffra’s ‘Glassford’ kinder with the upgraded centre increasing its capacity to provide 28 additional four-year-old kindergarten places at any one time. Wellington Shire Council and the local parents groups also made significant contributions and are to be congratulated,” he said.

“Like Stratford, at Maffra kinder there will also be an additional playroom, bathroom area and extra storage for local Maffra families as well.   “In the short term, not only have these centres provided more kindergarten places, it also brings many long-term benefits to local families, including giving children the best possible preparation for school.

"These upgrades will cater for the needs of the communities into the future,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell welcomed the upgrade of the kindergartens.

“Upgrading children’s facilities is part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s plan to build a better regional Victoria by ensuring young children have a great start in life.

“The Coalition Government has invested $1.7 million in the Shire of Wellington region through record investments in early childhood infrastructure,” Ms Lovell said.   

“The Victorian Coalition Government is building a better Victoria, with $106 million in state and national partnership funding invested since December 2010 towards building and upgrading hundreds of services, including many in regional Victoria.”