The Allan Labor Government is giving more children the best start in life, with building work at a brand-new kindergarten in Wedderburn now underway – providing more local families access to a high-quality education program close to home.

Member for Ripon Martha Haylett today officially turned the first sod at the new Early Learning Victoria Wedderburn (interim name).

The new kindergarten, located at Wedderburn College, will have outdoor play areas, a maternal and child health consulting room, and a carpark. It will also have a community room for meetings and playgroup.

The kinder will offer up to 90 kindergarten places to local three and four-year-olds and is forecast to finish construction early in 2026.

Positioning kindergartens on or close to schools supports children to get the most out of their early learning, makes drop-off more convenient for busy parents and carers, and helps with a smoother transition to primary school.

This centre is one of 50 early learning and childcare centres that will share in approximately $14 billion as part of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life reform.

The Labor Government is investing billions to build and expand hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting the delivery of 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of Pre-Prep each week by 2036.

Through our nation-leading Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Labor Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents and carers to return to work or study if they choose.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn

“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services so our children can get the most out of great local kindergartens.”

“We’re proud to be funding early childhood infrastructure because we know how important the early years are in setting our kids up for the rest of their lives.”

Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“Local mums, dads, and grandparents have championed getting the new Early Learning Centre in Wedderburn and I have been so proud to work with them to get it done. It will be a game changer to finally have childcare options in the Loddon Shire, and to help local kids get the best start in life."

"As a working mum, I know how much it takes a village to raise a child and how necessary childcare is to help juggle it all. I cannot wait to see the new centre complete, so more local parents can enjoy the benefits of affordable childcare close to home."