A new integrated community centre delivering child and family services will be built in Craigieburn, as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s election promise to invest $50 million in the early childhood sector.

Ros Spence, Member for Yuroke, said a $1.6 million capital grant had been allocated for the Aitken Hill Integrated Community Centre to bring a range of family services under the one roof.

The upgrade will address growing demand for early years education and family services in Craigieburn.

The Aitken Hill Integrated Community Centre will respond to the growing need for services in Craigieburn resulting from significant residential developments.  The facility will include 2 licenced kindergarten rooms with rooms provided for other services.

This will become an important community facility offering a broad range of services, including a funded kindergarten program, long day care, occasional care, Maternal Child Health (MCH), family services and early intervention programs.

Through investments like this the Labor Government is delivering infrastructure to areas with the strongest demand for high-quality early education and care services.

It is also providing up to $83.7 million over four years to support the implementation of improved educator-to-child ratios from January 2016.

Families will benefit from improved ratios, which will allow more one-on-one time for every child and boost the value they receive from time spent at kindergarten in preparation for school.