MORE children will be going to kindergarten in Wyndham this year than ever before, according to the council’s latest figures.
A total of 2098 children started kinder for the first time earlier this month, with 90 per cent of families able to get a place at their preferred location.
Wyndham Council said to cater for the enormous growth, two new three room kindergartens would open their doors this year, the Tarneit Central Kindergarten and Alamanda Kindergarten.
Councillor Marie Brittan said a third room had also been added to Featherbrook Kindergarten in Point Cook to provide another 49 places.
“Wyndham City, with funding help from the State Government is also spending $73,000 on additional children’s toilets at Tarneit and Jameson Way kindergartens,” Cr Brittan said.
“We’re offering 2274 kindergarten places across 90 groups in 2013, including 168 places at the new Point Cook South East Kindergarten. We’ve been able to offer places to every child who applied for a place this year.”
Cr Brittan said the council would continue to monitor and evaluate the community based model of Alamanda and Tarneit Central, where they are co-located on school sites and operated by the school or a not-for-profit provider.
“For children who continue into the adjoining school, these kindergartens will allow for a smooth transition and allow them to develop a routine. Alamanda Kindergarten has also been designed to allow for easy conversion into a community space at some point in future, creating more community benefit,” she said.
“As part of the Federal Government’s commitment to provide universal access to early childhood education, Wyndham City will this year provide 15 hours of kindergarten per child at 27 groups around the municipality.
“Wyndham City will continue to advocate to the State and Federal Governments regarding potential implications or impacts of universal access on our kindergarten capacity into the future.”
