Kindergartens across Victoria are receiving a funding boost of up to $83.7 million so they can improve their staff-to-child ratios, Premier Daniel Andrews announced today.
The funding boost will support eligible community-based kindergartens to hire additional staff, giving preschool kids more individual care and attention.
Making the announcement with the Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos, at the Alfred Nuttall Memorial Kindergarten in Fairfield this morning, Mr Andrews said improved staff-to-child ratios will take effect at the beginning of 2016.
Under the new ratio, kinders will provide one educator per 11 children. The current ratio is one educator per 15 children.
The ratios are a vital part of the National Quality Framework, an important reform that delivers a higher standard of child education and care, particularly in the areas of staffing, early learning programs and health and safety.
This funding is in addition to the $50 million provided by the Andrews Labor Government in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget to build or upgrade new and existing kinders.
The new funds will help kinders remain strong and viable. This initiative will mean that Victoria’s exceptionally high kinder participation rate is sustained, if not increased.
Of the new funds, $7.9 million over two years will be allocated to ensure that vulnerable children who are eligible for extra support will be able to access three and four-year-old kinder programs.
Quotes attributable to Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews
“Victorian kinders do great work and they give our kids the best start in life.”
“When it comes to looking after our youngest kids and opening their eyes to the world, nothing beats the one-on-one attention of trained and caring staff.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos
“This new funding means kids at kinder will get more one-on-one care and attention as they undertake their crucial early journey in life.”
“We know that attending kinder gives kids the best start in life and we are working to ensure all Victorian children get the benefits of vital early-learning programs.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020