Tuesday, 8 September 2026

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (23:47): (2777) My question is to the Minister for Children. Early childhood education is essential for preparing our children for their futures. That is why last week it was announced that more than $4.5 million would be shared amongst 89 services to upgrade buildings and playgrounds as well as to buy equipment to ensure all children can participate in kindergarten. This comes as part of the Building Blocks inclusion grants. To date, Labor has delivered more than $27.2 million in Building Blocks inclusion grants, which have gone towards supporting 205 kinder buildings and playground projects across the state. The North-Eastern Metropolitan Region is home to around 40 kindergartens, and with an increasing population it is understandable that more kindergartens will eventually be required. Furthermore, as existing kinder facilities and equipment age, they will also need to be upgraded or replaced. The action I seek is for the minister to advise me if there are any planned future grants programs which kindergartens in the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region can access to update and improve their existing facilities.