Exciting developments are happening at Ward Avenue Kindergarten in Oakleigh South, with construction in full swing on the new facility.

Framing, roof and window installation is complete, and works have started on brickworks, exterior cladding, interiors and solar installation. July will also see the start of landscaping on the site.

The brand-new facility is scheduled to welcome back young faces for Term 1 2025, equipped with two new 33-place kindergarten rooms, enriching outdoor learning environments, staff working spaces and amenities.

The kindergarten is currently operating at Oakleigh South Child and Family Hub.

Monash Council is partnering with the Victorian Government to refurbish and extend Ward Avenue Kindergarten at 4 Ward Avenue, Oakleigh South.

As part of the Victorian Government’s funded kindergarten reforms for three- and four-year-old children, Ward Avenue Kindergarten was identified as a location that could provide more kindergarten places to meet local need. The Victorian Government is contributing $1.63 million towards this project, and Council will contribute $3.36 million.

The project aims to have the new facility complete with the kindergarten ready for service delivery in Term 1, 2025.

Upon project completion, the new Ward Avenue Kindergarten facility will offer:

• Two 33-place kindergarten rooms
• Outdoor learning environment
• Staff working spaces and amenities.

The single-storey facility will cater for the Victorian Government's funded kindergarten program for three-and four-year-old children, enabling children to get the best start to their early years before stepping into foundation class at primary school.

Ward Avenue Kindergarten will close for works at the end of Term 4, 2023.

During works, kindergarten programs will relocate to the new Oakleigh South Child and Family Hub at the corner of North and Guest Roads in Oakleigh South. The hub will be the base for Ward Avenue Kindergarten programs in 2024.

Kindergarten programs will return to the new Ward Avenue Kindergarten facility in Term 1, 2025.

Consultation with key stakeholders, including service providers and service users has been undertaken to inform the design of Monash early years facilities.