Following years of advocacy from local organisations, a new 33-place kindergarten facility has been approved to open in Nagambie.
A one-room modular kindergarten will be built at Nagambie Primary School, with a four-year old kindergarten program expected to commence in Term 1, 2026.
The announcement comes following three years of advocacy from the Goulburn Region Preschool Association (GRPSA), who had applied for state government funding to deliver the project in Nagambie.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said that it was pleasing to see more early childhood education options available in Nagambie and congratulated the relentless advocacy of the school community, parents, and providers.
“There has been a pressing need to address the kindergarten shortages in towns like Nagambie and it is great to see progress being made,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We must make both kindergarten and childcare more accessible for people in our region, and the work that GRSPA does in this space is truly inspiring.
“Having met with Ronni Druitt and the team at GRSPA, their determination towards improving early education outcomes in our region has been clear and it is so pleasing to see them receive approval for this project.”
Ms Cleeland said it was critical to address the kindergarten and childcare shortage throughout the region to ensure families could return to work, gain extra days of employment, seek work, study, or utilise respite care, and provide children with the opportunity of access to early learning.
“Any assistance to support the ever-growing demand in our region is critical,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Our region’s children should not be the casualty of postcode lottery when it comes to access and availability to early education.
Thomas Caldow, Board Chair of GRPSA, said the project was a major part of their vision for improving early childhood options around the region.
“The Board of GRPSA are thrilled with this outcome as this forms an integral part of our commitment to improving our kindergarten and day care programs in the Nagambie area,” Mr Caldow said.
“A special thank you to our CEO, Ronni Druitt, who has worked with tirelessly on achieving this great outcome for the Nagambie community.”
