Identical triplets Daniel, Toby and Nathan Perez were the star attraction when they started their first day of kinder at Cranbourne’s Rangebank Preschool on Monday. Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Alison Noonan
DOUBLE the trouble, triple the fun.
That’s the new motto for Rangebank Preschool where identical triplets Daniel, Nathan and Toby Perez sparked a media frenzy on their first day of kinder on Monday.
The fouryearolds were the star attraction at the Cranbourne preschool as nearly 60,000 children started kinder across the state.
Teacher Chris West said the boys had been “colourcoded” on their first day to make identification easier for staff.
“They will wear different coloured shirts to start off with, but we’ll soon be able to identify their personalities as we get to know them,” she said.
“It is a very exciting time for us. We have had twins before but never triplets.
“We can’t wait to get to know them.”
Ms West said staff had been overwhelmed by the media hype surrounding the boys’ first day but claimed the youngsters weren’t at all fazed.
“We had television crews and politicians at the preschool. It was a very busy morning.
“It was really daunting for us but the kids had a great time.
“Everyone settled in all right. It was a fantastic start to the year,” she said.
Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt visited Rangebank to welcome the new brood and promote the government’s increased kindergarten fee subsidy.
Ms Garbutt said kinder would be more affordable for thousands of Victorian families this year thanks to a rise in annual subsidies for low income and multiple birth families.
“This year more than 17,000 fouryearolds across Victoria will be eligible for a $320 fee subsidy,” she said.
“The subsidy is available to parents who hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
“Parents of triplets or quads are also eligible for the fee subsidy.”
Ms Garbutt said the Government would deliver an extra $26 million over the next three years to improve pay and conditions for Victorian kindergarten teachers as part of an ongoing drive to encourage young graduates to join the profession.
She said initiatives included a $19.3 million increase over four years for long day care centres to provide kindergarten programs and capital grants totalling $16 million to establish up to 60 children’s centres across Victoria.
