A NEW era for Gannawarra Shire Council’s kindergarten services began on Monday thanks to the rollout of the new pre-prep program and the first day of the municipality’s newest kindergarten.
More than 170 children have enrolled in pre-prep programs at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook and Leitchville for 2025, with the program replacing the former four-year-old kindergarten program that prepares children for primary school education.
“Council is excited to be one of the first municipalities in the State to roll out the Pre-Prep program, which will see Council, by 2030, provide every four-year-old child up to 30-hours per week play-based learning for 40 weeks of the year,” council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said.
“This new play-based program will improve children’s learning and development outcomes, and builds on the three-year-old kindergarten program that Council runs at its facilities at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook and Leitchville.”
To accommodate the rollout of the pre-prep program, the Victorian Schools Building Authority oversaw the construction of the Kerang South Kindergarten in readiness for the start of the 2025 education year. Located on the grounds of Kerang South Primary School, the kindergarten will cater for pre-prep and three-year-old kindergarten programs as enrolments expand.
“Council is pleased to be managing this new, modern facility that has the capacity to accommodate two programs simultaneously, depending on enrolments and staff,” Mr Rollinson said.
“An official opening of the Kerang South Kindergarten will be held at a later date, which will enable residents to explore this new building and learn more about Council’s early childhood education programs.
“Council thanks the State Government and the leadership of Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn for ensuring that that the Kerang South Kindergarten was operational in time for the start of the 2025 education year.”
Meanwhile, the council continued to work with the State Government regarding the establishment of the Cohuna Consolidated School Early Learning and Childcare Centre. To be run by Early Learning Victoria, the centre will be constructed on the grounds of Cohuna Consolidated School in time for the start of the 2027 school year.
“The Cohuna Consolidated School Early Learning and Childcare Centre will provide long day care, three-year-old kindergarten and pre-prep programs, with space for up to 102 local children in the centre each day,” Mr Rollinson said.
“We continue to work with the State Government to ensure the building matches the community’s needs, which were outlined in the Exploring Care and Education in Cohuna Report, published in February 2023.”
