Pakenham Kindergarten has officially reopened after undergoing a $650,000 revamp.
The kindergarten – one of the shire’s oldest – was in desperate need of building upgrades before the refurbishment, which was funded by council and the state government.
Completed last year, the refurbishment involved upgrading the entrance, extending the outdoor undercover area, and improving the bathroom facilities to provide greater access for children of all abilities.
Families and members of the community celebrated the official reopening of the kindergarten, located at 27 Main Street, on Thursday 4 April.
Cardinia Shire Deputy Mayor Councillor Collin Ross thanked the community for their patience and cooperation while being relocated during the project’s construction phase.
“Whilst it was well worth the effort and wait, we wish to thank all the families and staff for their patience and understanding whilst the upgrades were completed,” he said.
The opening event was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Childhood Education Sonya Kilkenny, Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and Cardinia Shire councillors.
Also announced at the event was $80,000 in additional funding from the Victorian Government’s needs-based school readiness funding for Henry Family Children’s Centre and Lakeside Children’s Centre.
Cr Ross said the funding was welcome news for the kindergartens and young families in the area.
“This funding will help our local kindergartens to work with health professionals, such as speech pathologists and literacy experts, and families to support language development earlier on, before children reach primary school,” he said.
