More than 30 innovative projects aimed at encouraging families in disadvantaged areas to access early childhood services will share in more than $2.6 million of Brumby Labor Government funding.
Announcing the successful projects today as part of the Brumby Labor Government’s Bendigo Region Community Cabinet, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand said 35 projects had been successful in gaining Innovation Fund support.
“This Fund is a new initiative to trial projects that aim to increase access to kinder and other early childhood services in disadvantaged areas,” Ms Morand said.
“We know that supporting families with high-quality early childhood services and providing extra support and appropriate early interventions are the most effective ways of breaking cycles of disadvantage.
“Already 93 per cent of Victorian children participate in a high-quality kindergarten program in the year before school and the vast majority of Victorian families access services such maternal and child health (MCH).
“These new projects will target those that are not accessing these vital services.
“Projects will include the employment of an early literacy engagement officer, extra training for kindergarten and MCH health professionals, research into barriers to using MCH services, the creation of mobile children’s services and subsidised transport to kindergarten in remote areas.”
Making the announcement at the Helm Street Preschool in Kangaroo Flat, a partner in one of the successful projects, Ms Morand said three projects worth $210,000 would be funded in the Loddon Mallee Region.
The three projects in the Loddon Mallee will involve:
- $160,000 for the Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services in the region to hire two early childhood qualified staff for a 12 month project which would include work to increase links with early childhood services and staff at other centres, professional development for current staff and a focus on increasing participation of children in early childhood services;
- $30,000 to trial arrangements to formally link early childhood intervention services with six kindergartens across the region (including Helm St Preschool) that have been identified as having a high number of children with disabilities or additional needs; and
- $20,000 to research barriers to using MCH services, particularly for aboriginal and cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) children and their families.
“The Brumby Labor Government is committed to making high-quality early childhood education and care more accessible for parents and children,” Ms Morand said.
“From these trials we will be able to develop new techniques for increasing participation that can then be transferred to other services.”
Innovation Fund distribution:
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Barwon-South Western - $200,000 for one project.
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Hume - $310,000 for three projects.
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Eastern Metro - $240,000 for four projects.
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Loddon Mallee - $210,000 for three projects.
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Gippsland - $360,000 for six projects.
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Northern Metro - $240,000 for three projects.
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Grampians - $288,014 for 13 projects.
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Southern Metro - $400,000 for one project.
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Western Metro - $400,000 for one project.
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