By KATRINA BRANDON
KOSCIUSZKO Street is soon to welcome a new kindergarten.
Groundbreaking on the Kosciuszko Street Primary School – Traralgon Kindergarten started recently, with Minister for Housing, Harriet Shing, coming to celebrate the new establishment on September 12.
Ms Shing highlighted the importance and need for the new build.
According to Latrobe City Council, the new kindergarten, set to open in term 1, 2026, will have two rooms for up to 66 students.
“There is a huge demand across Latrobe City for extra kindergarten places and for facilities,” Ms Shing told the Express.
“The council is managing about 26 kinders across the LGA. We want to make sure also that when we plan and design and we deliver new kinders, we’re doing so in a way that meets that growth.
“We’re also determined to make sure that provides support to people, but building the new kinders is also a really important part of this work, and that’s exactly what this project is about.”
Situated down the road from Lavalla Secondary College and the Kosciuszko Street Primary School, Ms Shing said that the proximity of the kindergarten will help kindergarteners adjust to primary school more easily.
Photographs: Katrina Brandon
According to Ms Shing, the build is set to be ready for term one of next year.
“A kinder next to a primary school is really important,” she said.
“Not only does it help the Kinder kids to adjust to primary school once they finish in the Kinder environment, but it also reduces the amount of pick up and drop drop off time for families, and then when that’s located close to sporting facilities, we’re just over the road from the stadium that we build here, and across the road again from a secondary school environment really close to the rest of the education precinct.
“We know that makes a huge difference, not only in enabling kids to connect to the school community and to stay connected to education, but also in terms of convenience.”
Also excited about the new early opportunity was Latrobe City Mayor Dale Harriman.
“Latrobe City Council is proud to operate a new purpose-built kindergarten at Kosciuszko Street Primary School, opening in Term 1, 2026. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our community, giving children the very best start to their learning journey,” Mayor Harriman said.
“Research tells us that kindergartens located on school sites create smoother transitions and stronger outcomes for children. This new service at Kosciuszko is a real win for families and the future of education in Latrobe City.”
“This is more than just a new kindergarten – it’s an investment in continuity, connection, and community. Latrobe City Council is delighted to see children begin their education journey in a space designed to set them up for success.”
The Kosciuszko Street Primary School – Traralgon Kindergarten is one of many kindergartens being built around the state, and the local Traralgon build is one of four in the construction stage.
