Big upgrades benefit young learners at Wallaroo Preschool
Published on 08 October 2025
Children attending Wallaroo Preschool in Hastings have reason to celebrate: their kindergarten was recently given a well-deserved makeover, with big improvements to the playground and interiors.
Upgrades include a new, more inclusive playground, as well as refurbished indoor spaces for children to learn and play.
The Wallaroo Preschool upgrades were made possible thanks to two Victorian Government grants, including Early Childhood Refurbishment and Minor Works grant ($330,750) and a Building Blocks Inclusion grant ($195,980). Mornington Peninsula Shire contributed $220,000 to the project.
Early childhood education, including funded kindergarten, is the responsibility of the Victorian Government through the Department of Education. In 2022, the Victorian Government announced it will expand the Best Start, Best Life reform. This will transform early childhood education by providing more funded hours of kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds, making kinder free, and transitioning four-year-old kindergarten to Pre-Prep by 2036.
25 sessional kindergartens operate from Shire-owned and maintained buildings. The kindergartens are leased and managed by volunteer parent-run committees or by an Early Years Manager.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh:
“This is welcome news to all the families who are attending Wallaroo Preschool.
“Across the Mornington Peninsula, over 70 services are providing funded kindergarten programs. Of these, 25 sessional kindergartens operate from Shire-owned and maintained buildings.”
“Many of these facilities require significant investment in infrastructure to deliver on the reform. We continue to make sure the Victorian Government is aware of the challenges local kindergartens are facing due to ageing infrastructure and lack of space to expand current buildings.”
Quotes attributable to Warringine Ward Councillor Michael Stephens:
“The Wallaroo Preschool is part of the much-valued Wallaroo Community House. It’s great to see money spent in areas that truly deserve it. These upgrades will have a very positive impact on the children who need it most.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn:
“Our government is making sure every child has access to high-quality early childhood education, no matter where they live, through our nation leading Best Start, Best Life reforms.”