The Andrews Labor Government is delivering better kindergartens across Victoria as part of the latest round of the Children’s Facilities Capital Program Minor Grants.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today visited Geelong West Kindergarten, to announce it was one of more than 200 recipients sharing in $1 million of funding.
The kindergarten will get $10,000 to upgrade its front outdoor area and make it more accessible, including improving access to the play area and making structures wheelchair accessible.
Works will include developing a new large, open space for group activities, levelling the ground, putting in new outdoor seating options for kids and visitors, and building wheelchair accessible pathways, fencing and gates.
The Labor Government’s Minor Grants Program provides funding to services delivering funded kinder programs for small infrastructure improvements or IT upgrades.
Funding of up to $25,000 is available for either building refurbishment works to increase capacity or improve facilities, or to help buy IT equipment like laptops and tablets.
Families across Victoria will also benefit from the Government’s $202 million Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan, announced in the Victorian Budget 2017/18.
This ground-breaking reform plan recognises the importance of providing families with strong support in early childhood, so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.
It will mean local parents can access improved parenting support and Maternal and Child Health Services, as well as higher quality and more inclusive kindergartens.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“We’re investing in first-rate early childhood facilities so our children can get the most out of great local kindergartens.”
“We know that better quality early childhood services mean a better start in life for our kids, and these grants are helping ensure our kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.”
Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Chris Couzens
“This exciting upgrade will create a great new outdoors spaces for kids at Geelong West Kinder that is fun, safe and accessible for all.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020