By BRIDGET SCOTT
A COMMUNITY-RUN kindergarten heard the good news it had been waiting for on Monday, when it was announced that a Labor Government would inject more than $100,000 into Rangebank Pre-school.
Educator at the pre-school Barbara Ryan-Perkins was lost for words when Shadow Minister for Children Jenny Mikakos and Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera announced the $125,000 in funding for the pre-school.
Ms Mikakos and MP Jude Perera attended the pre-school on Monday morning to outline Labor’s plan to modernise local kinders.
Labor’s investment will provide a much-needed upgrade to the Cranbourne pre-school’s facilities, some of which are 32 years old.
Ms Ryan-Perkins said she didn’t know what to say when the announcement was made on Monday.
“Words can’t describe it,” she said.
“It would make a complete world of a difference.”
The educator said the 32-year-old centre is completely run by volunteers and the money would go a long way.
“We are a volunteer-run committee and centre,” she said.
“Every year we aim to fund-raise around $5000 and on top of that we need to maintain the playground which has been here since the start.”
Ms Ryan-Perkins said the playground would eventually be outdated and this money would go towards a total revamp of the outdoor facilities.
“Being wood, it doesn’t last forever, so it will eventually have to be replaced,” she said.
“The money they committed is what we were quoted a few years ago.”
“It would be a total rebirth.”
Ms Mikakos told the group that Labor intended to get local kindergartens back up to speed.
“Labor will support young families and their kids as they begin the most important years of their lives,” she said.
MP Jude Perera said that young families in the area were looking for top-quality childcare services at their doorstep.
“Labor’s plan to make Victoria the education state begins here, starting with fixing Rangebank Preschool and helping our kids to get the best start,” he said.
