More than 1300 Victorian kindergartens will share in Brumby Labor Government grants totalling $3.2 million to buy new equipment and educational resources, while a further $600,000 will be provided to help boost kinder places in key areas.
Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand said 1242 not-for-profit kindergartens would each receive $2300 to buy or replace educational resources including books and play equipment.
A further 89 small rural kindergartens would each receive $4000 under the $3.2 million Brumby Labor Government boost.
“With Victoria experiencing the biggest baby boom in a generation and kindergarten participation rates in the year before school at an all-time high, our Government is taking action to support the provision of quality early childhood care services,” Ms Morand said.
“There are currently 66,651 four-year-olds enrolled in kindergarten programs – the highest ever number of four-year-olds attending kindergarten and we want to make sure they all have access to quality play equipment and educational resources.
“This funding will provide a welcome boost for local kinders to buy new equipment ahead of next year’s children starting.”
Ms Morand said the Brumby Labor Government recognised the increased kinder participation rate, coupled with Victoria’s baby boom, was putting additional pressure on some kinders.
“That is why I’m also announcing an additional $600,000 for a project to boost the number of kindergarten places in nine local government areas - Brimbank, Cardinia, Glen Eira, Hobsons Bay, Ballarat, Bendigo, Darebin, Geelong, Wyndham – which are all experiencing high demand,” she said.
“We constantly monitor population growth and provision, particularly in growth areas where more and more families are settling, to help ensure we have the right mix of early childhood education and care services.
“We have provided the Centre for Community and Child Health with $600,000 to work with these nine local councils to increase the number of kindergarten places to meet growing demand and improve participation rates.”