Keele Street Children's Centre in Collingwood welcomed Minister for Education Ben Carroll this week as he launched the Victorian Government's 2026 Prep Bags initiative, celebrating a major milestone for children about to start school.
During the visit, the Minister presented book bags to local children, part of a statewide rollout that will see more than 52,000 incoming Prep students at government schools receive free books and educational resources. This year's theme, Reach for the stars, encourages children to dream big and build confidence as they transition to school.
Each Prep Bag includes five expertly selected books designed to spark a love of reading, along with literacy and numeracy activities, a Youth myki holder, a toothbrushing chart, and materials promoting healthy habits and inclusive education. Students who are blind will receive Braille editions with tactile illustrations to ensure every child can enjoy the stories.
The initiative, which has delivered more than 2.2 million books since 2019, supports early literacy and helps families prepare for a positive start to school.
Minister for Education Ben Carroll said: "By giving Preps free books and activities to support them as they start their school journey, we're delivering practical cost-of-living relief that helps families from day one of school."
CEO of Yarra City Council Sue Wilkinson said she was pleased to host the Minister and celebrate this investment in children's learning and wellbeing.
"We're thrilled to have the Minister for Education visit our award-winning Children's Centre and meet with the children and families we support," she said.
