New facilities mean more kindergarten places in Canning Vale

Families in Canning Vale are benefiting from an increase in the number of kindergarten places thanks to a new early childhood education facility at Campbell Primary School.

Education Minister Liz Constable said the Campbell Primary School Early Childhood Annex, situated close to the main school site on Campbell Road, began operating earlier this month.

"Children who go to kindergarten before primary school have a vital head start in learning, so it is important we provide as many opportunities as possible for parents to enrol their children in kindergarten," Dr Constable said.

"The new transportable building has relieved pressure on existing facilities, enabling the school to offer a greater number of kindergarten places, and it is available for use by neighbouring schools should numbers increase."

The $1.5million annex, situated on a leased site through the Billabong Initiative of the Uniting Church in Australia, was designed by Hocking Heritage Studio, with external works completed by Industrial Road Pavers after existing transportable buildings were relocated to the site by Freo Constructions.

The new administration building, toilet block and cleaner's store are under construction by Quality Builders and expected to be completed in September.

"The new facilities include four purpose-built early childhood education classrooms which include a kitchen, toilets and storage areas," the Minister said.

"There is also a fenced, grassed play area with sand pits, and shade structures will be erected shortly."

Campbell Primary School acting principal Jennifer Allsop said, as one of WA's first Independent Public Schools, the decision to locate kindergarten and pre-primary students offsite was made with a high level of community involvement and support.

"We were aware the number of children was increasing and instead of running three kindergarten classes, we are now able to run five classes," Ms Allsop said. "There is much more space for children to learn and it has also freed up space in the main school."

Dr Constable said the State Government has allocated $578million for capital improvements and works to public schools around Western Australia over the 2011-12 financial year.

"The State Government is committed to providing quality school environments for Western Australia's public school students," she said.

 
Minister's office  - 9222 9699