More early learning for Belmont

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens with Oberon Primary School principal Stuart McCoombe and assistant principal Matt Nalder (both in pink), and Rendine Construction workers. (Supplied)

A Belmont primary school will soon have a brand-new kindergarten to provide more families with access to high-quality education closer to home.

The kindergarten that will be located on the grounds of Oberon Primary School, is forecasted to be operational by term one next year following building works.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the facility would offer up to 99 kindergarten places to local three- and four-year-olds, and feature three kinder rooms once completed.

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

“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.”

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said positioning kindergartens on or close to schools supported children to get the most out of their early learning.

Ms Couzens said the new kindergarten’s location would also be more convenient for busy parents and carers while helping make a smoother transition to primary school.

“Parents and carers in Belmont have spoken to me about the need for more kindergarten places in the area from 2026,” she said.

“This new kinder in Belmont will give more children in the area the chance to attend a great local kindergarten, where they can learn, play and make new friends.”

The Belmont kindergarten forms part of the state government’s goal to expand the number of kindergartens across the state through its $14 billion Best Start, Best Life initiatives.

The state government said it aimed to deliver 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of pre-prep each week by 2036.