Monash Council has opened the doors on Pinewood Child and Family Hub in Mount Waverley, the latest integrated early years centre in Monash jointly funded by Monash Council and the Victorian Government.
Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt, and Member for Ashwood Matt Fregon, joined Mayor Cr Tina Samardzija, to officially launch the new facility.
Built on the site of Pinewood Preschool and Maternal and Child Health Centre, the fully redeveloped hub combines essential services and facilities for families under one roof, making it easier for them to access support in one location.
With vaulted interiors and interactive outdoor play areas, the space features two kindergarten rooms, a community play group area, three rooms for Maternal and Child Health services and two additional consulting rooms.
The external spaces were designed around significant trees and open out with a view of the surrounding parkland. New trees were planted to provide the community with shaded rest areas and all-important green spaces.
Mayor Tina Samardzija said, "As a parent, I know how important child and family hubs such as Pinewood are for connecting young families in Monash with the support and community they need during those crucial early stages of a child's life.
"From regular visits to the maternal and child health nurse, to first friendships at playgroup, to learning and discovering the wider world at kindergarten, an integrated hub like Pinewood allows families in the area to give their child the best start in life."
"This is just one of several early childhood projects we are delivering around Monash, and construction is due to start on a third Child and Family Hub in Oakleigh South, while a hub in Mulgrave opened last year.
"These are great outcomes for families in Monash and we're going to keep delivering," Cr Samardzija said.
Pinewood Child and Family Hub started construction in early 2022 and finished in February 2023, allowing Pinewood Preschool to move into the space for the 2023 kindergarten year.
The $5.2 million project was jointly funded by Monash Council and the Victorian Government.
