Premier inspects construction of new kindergartens for Qld kids

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
22/11/2009
Premier inspects construction of new kindergartens for Qld kids
 
New kindergartens will soon be popping up on school sites throughout Queensland, with the biggest rollout of new kindy buildings Queensland has ever seen now underway.

Premier Anna Bligh today visited the Yatala factory to inspect work on a new kindy building destined for Moorooka State School.

Ms Bligh was joined by Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson at the factory where a number of kindergarten buildings will be constructed as part of the rollout of 240 new services around the state.

"Modern kindergarten classrooms like this one will be built at factories throughout the state before being shipped to local school sites," Ms Bligh said.

"This is the first order for this company, but we're expecting a number of other kindergartens to be built right here as the rollout progresses.

"Two more kindergartens due to open next year at Seaforth, near Mackay, and Mudgeeraba will also be built off site like this one, giving other local c ontractors the chance to benefit.

"Others due to open in 2010 at Oonoonba, near Townsville, and Beaconsfield, near Mackay will be constructed on site.

"Work has already started on the new kindergarten at Stretton, which is also being built on site."

Two new kindergartens will also open in 2010 at Prince of Peace College in Everton Hills and St Andrew's College at Redlynch in Cairns.

Planning is already underway for a further 12 to be built in 2011, with the full 240 due to be operational by 2014.

Ms Bligh said the Kindergarten building program is delivering on the Government's election commitment to create jobs and deliver a better future for Queensland children.

"The kindergarten building program will create around 2500 construction jobs," she said.

"Once all the services are operational there will also be jobs for around 900 new teaching and administration staff."

"This $321 million building program is an inve stment in Queensland's future.

"Not only are we creating and supporting jobs, we're helping give Queensland children the flying start they deserve.

"We know the early years are critical and that's why we want to ensure that all children have access to a quality kindergarten program.

"Queensland's current kindergarten participation rate is around 29 per cent - we want to see that improve to around 95 per cent by 2014.

"We're increasing access to services by building new kindergartens and also subsidising existing long day care centres to provide kindy programs."

Mr Wilson said the new services would be provided in areas of need.

"Moorooka needs a new kindergarten to meet the high demand for early education services that exists in the local area and surrounding suburbs," he said.

"It is estimated that by 2013 the area will continue to be home to more than 250 four-year-old children, however current early education service s do not meet population demand."

Mr Wilson said co-locating the extra kindergarten services with schools offered greater convenience for families.

"Moorooka's new kindergarten will cater for up to 44 kindy-age children and will offer a program delivered by an early childhood teacher for 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year," he said.

Moorooka State School principal Mrs Lyn Jokic said having a kindergarten set within the school grounds would be wonderful for local families.

"Our school community has about 25 per cent of students born overseas, including 15 per cent refugees, and the kindergarten will meet a need for these families who do not have extended family to help them better prepare children for full-time education.

"People wanting to learn more about the new kindergarten are invited to come along to an information session to be held at the school on 1 December at 7.00pm," Mrs Jokic said.

Parents who wish to enrol their child/ren at the new Moorooka kindergarten should contact C&K Pre-schooling Professions either at waitinglist@candk.asn.au or by calling 1800 177 092.