Dan's early education pledge
Seymour will benefit from a new early education centre if Victoria’s Labor Government is re-elected at this weekend’s state election.
The government has announced that, if re-elected, it will create 50 new government-owned and operated early education centres, including at Shepparton, Numurkah, Rochester and Seymour.
The future centres would deliver childcare, kindergarten and eventually pre-Prep.
The towns around the Greater Shepparton region would be included in the second round of early education centres, with the first four being located in Eaglehawk North, Fawkner, Murtoa and Sunshine.
The first four are set to be opened in 2025, with the 46 others, including those in the Greater Shepparton region, all to be operational by 2028.
The government is also promising to invest $584 million across the 50 services.
A further $159 million will be promised as part of a major workforce package aimed at attracting, retaining and developing early childhood educators.
Victorian Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Minister Ingrid Stitt praised the work of early childhood educators and said Labor would strive to look after the sector and its workers.
“Our early childhood educators do an incredible job. We’ll back their work with more opportunities to upskill, retrain and start a new career,” Ms Stitt said.
This would include 700 extra early childhood scholarships to be made available to people looking to become early childhood teachers through undergraduate degree pathways.
Extra incentives of between $9000 and $50,000 for teachers and educators moving into, or re-joining, the sector and for priority services in places that struggle to find qualified staff are also in the offing.
Premier Daniel Andrews is hoping the education investments will reduce financial burdens on families.
“Our childcare centres will mean a high-quality, low-cost option for the communities that need it most. Most importantly, it’ll give parents certainty and kids the bright start they deserve,” Mr Andrews said. “Labor is doing what matters — making kinder free, easing pressure on household budgets and giving every Victorian child the best start, for the best life.”