A collective of children, their families and staff at Koroit and District Kindergarten have their recycling radar up for not just the environment but also a good community cause.
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It comes as the kinder is full - another sign the Koroit township is enjoying a surge - with enrolments for next year filling fast.
The kindergarten community is collecting plastic bread tags, which are then being sent off to an organisation that uses them as materials for making wheelchairs.
This creative and environmentally friendly project fits in with the ethos of the kindergarten which president Amy Atwell said was all about being part of the community.
"We do pride ourselves on being a big part of the community and embracing that community spirit," Ms Atwell said.
"It is certainly something that flows through down to the children from the staff and from the families.
"Over the last two years a lot has happened and I think that has made the role the kinder plays and the positive attitude of all involved more important than ever,"
The approach undertaken by the kindergarten appears to have struck a chord with young families in the community.
All 80 places across three and four-year-old kinder are full for 2021 with enrolments for next year coming in thick and fast.
It has been close to normal for kindergartens in regional Victoria during the COVID pandemic, with some short periods of restrictions providing temporary disruptions.
The state government has recognised the role played by kindergartens, with a funding allocation through its School Readiness Funding.
Koroit was one of 27 early learning centres across south-west Victoria to share in this round of $572,500 funding. Warrnambool, Allansford, Hawkesdale, Port Fairy, Mortlake and Nullawarre were also places to benefit.
"We are very appreciative of funding form the state government," Ms Atwell said.
"It is nice recognition of the very important role on an educational, emotional and social level that early years learning plays.
"Those first five years of life are incredibly important to the development of children so kindergartens play a key role in those."
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said from 2022, three-year-old children will have access to at least five hours of kindergarten.
These services will then scale up reach a full 15-hour program by 2029.
"We are making sure children in south-west Victoria have the supports they need for the education they deserve and this funding will help our local kinders best prepare our children for school," Ms Tierney said.
"We are ensuring kindergarten services have the resources they need to deliver high-quality programs that support all our children so that they can fully participate and get the most out of their early learning years.
"This needs-based funding will improve outcomes in communication, social and emotional wellbeing, access and participation so that all our children are on track to have the best start to school and are on par with their peers."
