SPRINGVALE South’s new early learning centre has officially opened its doors.
The Springvale South Kindergarten has been renamed Athol Road Primary School Early Learning Centre and will cater for more than 100 children each week in playgroup and three and four-year-old kindergarten programs.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich opened the facility on 22 May.
The project received a $300,000 State Government Early Learning Facilities Upgrade grant in the 2011/12 round.
Springvale South Kindergarten contributed $162,405.57 for the upgrade, and Athol Road Primary School chipped in $21,500.
“The flexible indoor and outdoor learning spaces have been designed to reflect and enrich the lives and identities of the diverse community of children aged zero to four years who attend the school’s playgroups and on-site kindergarten,” Ms Peulich said.
“The facilities upgrade consisted of the conversion of the Athol Road Primary School hall into a second kindergarten room, including a program room, an upgraded kitchen and staff facilities with much-needed storage.
Ms Peulich said the second kindergarten room would be used to re-establish the three-year-old kindergarten program, providing two years of kindergarten to increase school readiness.
“The upgrade will also enable playgroup sessions to be accommodated on site,” she said.
“The on-site early learning centre incorporating playgroups and an on-site kindergarten provide a seamless transition to school and a strong link with the local community.”
