By MELISSA MEEHAN
Kallista Kindergarten revamp, extension pledged…
IT’S bursting at the seams, but an election promise of $250,000 from the Labor Party could mean the Kallista Kindergarten could receive a much- needed revamp and extension.
Monbulk MP James Merlino along with Shadow Minister for Children, Jenny Mikakos, visited the preschool last week to much fanfare.
As Mr Merlino rang the doorbell, screams of “he’s here, the man is here” rang out through the hallways.
He was then treated to his very own personal tour of the grounds of the kindergarten.
“I like your red tie,” one excited boy said.
“It’s the same colour as my jumper.”
Ms Mikakos also arrived to meet some excited teachers at the kinder.
She said the Labor Party, if elected, would extend Kallista Kindergarten, creating an additional kinder room, new foyer and upgraded kitchen, office and toilet areas.
“Labor will support young families and their kids as they begin the most important years of their lives.”
Mr Merlino echoed their excitement.
“I’m a kinder dad and I know that to get our kids the best start in life, it starts with the best facilities at kinder,” he said.
“Labor’s plan to make Victoria the education state begins here, starting with fixing Kallista Kindergarten.”
Kinder president Sandy Kuecher said it was fantastic news.
“We have been struggling to meet the growing need of the area,” she said.
“We’re at capacity now, so to be able to have an extra room means that we can provide a much-needed service to local kids.”
Ms Kuecher said the teachers at the kinder had a fabulous reputation in the area and was one of the many reasons that Kallista was so popular.
“We’re leading the way in a number of other ways too,” she said.
“Our nature kids program is something no one else in the hills is doing yet.”
