$330,000 upgrades and healthier smiles for romsey kindergarten kids

Students at Romsey and Riddells Creek Kindergartens were treated to a special guest today with Catherine Andrews, wife of the Victorian Premier, visiting the early learning centres with the Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP.

The pair were there to meet with kids and staff, ahead of the construction of upgrades to both sites, and to greet the Romsey kids who will benefit from the government’s outreach program to prevent tooth decay in the community.

The $330,000 Romsey Kindergarten upgrade will reorientate the entrance and create dual access to both the kindergarten and primary school, forming an education precinct and improving opportunities for partnership and integration.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering a record $70 million to build, expand and upgrade 28 early learning centres across Victoria to ensure local families can continue to access great local kindergartens, including $10 million targeting growth areas.

Riddells Creek will also benefit from the fund, receiving $211,500 for a major refurbishment of the facility that will increase the licensed capacity to meet expected growth in the area. Accessibility to the kindergarten will also be improved.

Both of these projects will commence in term 3 of this year.

Ms Thomas also announced that Romsey pre-school kids, they will receive a free fluoride varnish as part of a new Andrews Labor Government’s outreach program to prevent tooth decay in rural communities with non-fluoridated water.

Children living in non-fluoridated rural areas continue to experience higher rates of hospital admissions for tooth decay. For non-fluoridated towns across the Macedon Ranges, fluoride varnish, applied twice a year, can be highly effective in stopping tooth decay among at-risk children and preventing oral disease in the future.

Tooth decay remains one of the most prevalent diseases in Victoria. Almost half of all children have signs of tooth decay and dental conditions are the highest cause of preventable hospitalisations for Victorian children under 10.

The Labor Government has invested $14.7 million to develop a new action plan to improve the oral health of Victorians and reduce the gap in oral health outcomes for people that are at higher risk of oral disease.

The plan will target oral health promotion and prevention programs in communities where it’s needed most.

Quotes attributable to Mary-Anne Thomas MP
"The Andrews Labor Government continues to make huge investments in early childhood learning, because we see the importance of ensuring our kindergartens are world class."

"Children living in non-fluoridated rural areas shouldn’t be hindered by their postcode, so we’re taking action to ensure we prioritise their dental health to give them the best start in life."

Quotes attributable to Catherine Andrews
"I always love visiting the Macedon region. The people who make up these vibrant communities are so engaged and welcoming."

"The importance of modern learning facilities and dental health for all pre-school learners should not be underestimated. It’s wonderful to be here today to find out more about these projects."