Business News
Local kinder reopens with Alcoas support
Monday 08. June 2009 - Young children in Whittington are getting a good start in life thanks to the reopening of an early learning centre being supported by the Victorian government, City of Greater Geelong, Glastonbury Child & Family Services and Alcoa.
On Tuesday 28 May, the Early Learning and Family Centre @ Apollo was officially opened by the Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville and Geelong Mayor Cr John Mitchell.
After closing due to low enrolments some years ago, the Apollo Place centre has had a major upgrade and been fitted out with a new kitchen, bathroom and office facilities as well as a complete repaint. Landscaping completes the works.
Around 20 children are enrolled at the centre.
Alcoa Point Henry has partnered with the centre to provide lunches for the children and SunSmart clothing, as part of a wider commitment to the Whittington area.
Mayor Cr John Mitchell, who represents the Austin Ward, said: “Im extremely pleased to see money being spent in communities that need it most.”
“As ward councillor I know this area well, and the successful re-opening of this kinder is another example of the hard work going on behind the scenes in partnership with the State Government and Glastonbury.”
“To have Alcoa on board as a community business partner means kids are provided with lunches and SunSmart clothing, which makes it that much easier to attract enrolments to ensure our young children get a good start in life,” he said.
At the beginning of this year, Alcoa and Whittington Community Renewal entered into a broad partnership that is strongly aligned to Whittington Community Renewals objectives and Alcoas Partnering Stronger Communities program.
The partnership will be achieved through capacity building of community members such as leadership training for Whittington young people, employee volunteer involvement such as the Whittington Flamefest and funding for specific activities at the Early Learning Centre and Whittington Primary School.
Early Learning Facilitor Sue Parr said attendance rates so far have been excellent.
“It shows that the kids are enjoying themselves and that parents have a positive feeling about the centre,” she said.
“The kids are already looking forward to transition days in Term 3.
“When those kids moving up to Prep in 2010 visit Whittington Primary School, they will get a taste of life at ‘big school.'”
Sue said the proximity of Whittington Primary to the Early Learning and Family Centre @ Apollo is a real bonus, especially for families with children attending both places.
The upgraded centre is also being used by the Come and Play group and DHS specialist childrens services and is supported by the Whittington Community Renewal Project.