Premier

A Head Start For Kids With Kinder In 2023

12 May 2022

The Andrews Labor Government is giving even more kids and their families the best start in life, with access to funded kindergarten for every Victorian family in 2023.

Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt today visited The Range Children’s Centre in Williamstown with AFLW star Daisy Pearce to announce that kindergarten enrolments are now open for 2023 – supporting two critical years of early play-based learning before school with both three- and four-year-old kindergarten.

Ms Pearce’s children Sylvie and Roy will be starting Three-Year-Old Kindergarten next year – joining tens of thousands of Victorian families already benefitting from the Labor Government’s $5 billion investment in universal funded kinder services right across Victoria.

As the rollout continues in every corner of the state, families will have access to between five and 15 hours of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2023, as well as 15 hours of funded Four-Year-Old Kinder – providing the best start to early education.

The Victorian Budget 2022/23 invested $131 million to keep providing quality funded kindergarten services across the state – making sure every child can get the best start to their education, close to home – no matter where they live.

Families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities – including newly arrived Victorians and refugees – are particularly encouraged to make sure their children are enrolled in kindergarten programs, giving the whole family better connection to support services when they need it.

The Budget invests $4 million to support CALD families to enrol their children in kinder through outreach services and bilingual workers, as well as extra support for families living in public housing.

The Labor Government has also created translated materials to support Victoria’s multicultural community through the enrolment process, as well as providing free interpreters to help kindergartens communicate with families.

The Range Children’s Centre has recently completed a $265,000 upgrade delivered through the Labor Government’s Building Blocks – Inclusion grants program, with upgraded outdoor areas to provide safer playing space, more garden beds and extra vegetation.

To explore enrolment options, families can find a great local kindergarten and long day care service by visiting www.findakinder.vic.gov.auExternal Link or www.vic.gov.au/kinder-tickExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt

“We want to kickstart Victorian kids’ love of learning, social skills and confidence early – that’s why we’re funding two years of early learning before school, giving every child the best start in life.”

“Enrolments for kinder next year are now open – so I’d encourage every Victorian family to find a fantastic local kinder that will deliver the best start for their children.”

Quote attributable to AFLW Melbourne Captain Daisy Pearce

“We have loved watching Sylvie and Roy learn and grow while playing at home and day care in their early years. I can’t wait to see their little minds stretched even further next year when they start Three-Year-Old Kinder.”

Reviewed 13 May 2022

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