A new Donnybrook kindergarten opened last month at Donnybrook Primary School.
The kindergarten opened its doors in term one this year, providing 33 approved kindergarten places for the growing community under its Aboriginal name Murnong – meaning ‘yum daisy’ in the Woi Wurrung lnaugage of the Wurundjeri people.
Managed under Sparkways, the service employs a diverse teaching team, with special interests in different areas such as STEM, positive education, cooking, the arts, and language.
The educational programs are developed on children’s lived experiences, individual capabilities, strengths, and interests.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn joined Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage to officially open the Murnong Kindergarten in Donnybrook. Ms Kathage said she was pleased to have the Donnybrook based kindergarten.
“Our Donnybrook community is growing fast and so are our little ones,” she said.
“I am so happy that now we have a Donnybrook based kindergarten that can help our youngest residents learn and play close to home.
“Even better, when they finish their time here, they can jump the fence and get a first-rate education at Donnybrook Primary School, next door, which we opened last year.”
The centre was completed ahead of the construction of the Murnong Community Centre – a Donnybrook based community centre also being built by the State Government and City of Whittlesea.
This community centre will host a further two modern kindergarten rooms and a whole suite of services and amenities such as a Maternal and Child Health Service, a community hall, kitchen, two meeting rooms, community lounge and a mini-branch library.
Construction for the Murnong Community Centre is set to commence mid-2024 and estimated to open late 2025.
For more information on Murnong Kindergarten, visit sparkways.org.au/ centres/murnong-kindergarten
