Exciting news: Ave Maria is Expanding!

The expansion will hopefully start at the end of the year and will be ready for 2024 children.

The expansion will be on the left of the kinder on the green fake grass area, it is a 3-year-old classroom and new office and entrance area.

Once the plans are approved by the council we will share them with the parents.

Ave Maria Kindergarten applied for a grant from the Victorian Education Department to expand the kindergarten facilities and build a new classroom dedicated to Ave Maria’s 3 year old program and to upgrade our existing building. We are thrilled to announce that we have been approved for the grant.

This is a very exciting time for the future of the kinder as funding for the 3 year old program (which is planned to run for 15 hours per week) planned to commence from 2023. This increase in funding has been the driving force of the expansion to ensure that we can keep servicing the community now and into the future.

The application for the grant has been 2 years in the making and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Judy (President) and Natalie (Acting Director), as well as the dedicated building subcommittee for all their hard work and thorough investigation into the future of the kinder. Special mentions to Jack Pell, the Education Department, Moonee Valley Council, OLN Parish, Ben Carrol (member of parliament), the principals of local schools and our own kinder committee.

What does that mean for the kinder?

We will be building a new dedicated 3 year old room including a new reception/gallery, new office and meeting room, as well as upgrading the existing rooms.

The new room will be located on the astro-turf area (left hand/church side of the entrance gate). The entry way will be in approximately the same position; however this will now be part of the building (fully covered gallery style entry).

Once the plans are finalised, they will be able to be available at the kinder for you to admire.

Impact on children?

We will be working closely with the builder to ensure that there is a detailed construction method including:

• Providing a safe and efficient construction plan that clearly articulates the impacts to kindergarten education operations;

• Our preference for the project construction works to maximise the use of school holiday period down time to limit impact to existing kindergarten operations and children learning and ensure the safety of children, parents, school administrators and the community during the delivery of the project;

• Ensuring that construction works are separated from operational kinder facilities, with construction fencing and ensuring safe access remains for children, parent, and staff. For example temporary building access may need to be provided through the kitchen and staff room at times during construction.

When will the build begin?

Term 3! School holidays

There will be some impact to the current students of 2022, with some refurbishment works of the existing building this year and works commencing on new building later this year. Securing the grant and commencing the expansion project will ensure the kinder can continue to provide a sustainable facility for future generations to enjoy.

Next Steps

• Once we have the planning finalised with Moonee Valley Council we will share the design.

• We will keep all parents and carers informed of construction timetables, as well as what the children should expect on arrival to kinder via StoryPark.

Any questions?

Please feel free to email the office at: office@avemariakinder.vic.edu.au

More information will be communicated once we have the plans finalised.

Thank you for your support.