Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today invited local councils and children’s services in Western Victoria to apply for a Victorian Children’s Capital Program grant.
The grants, announced by Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand, are part of the Brumby Labor Government’s $38.5 million commitment to improving Victoria’s early childhood services.
“This new funding for renovations and upgrades is worth $13.5 million, demonstrating the Brumby Labor Government’s commitment to our young Victorians and their families,” Ms Tierney said.
“We know that access to quality children’s services is vital in those important early years when a child is developing and this is just another way the Brumby Labor Government is ensuring our children have the best possible start in life.”
Ms Tierney said the grants for early childhood services, local councils and community organisations would go a long way towards improving facilities and boosting opportunities for children in Western Victoria
“This Government is proud of the high-quality early childhood services already operating in Western Victoria but there is always room to improve, which is why we are urging councils and children’s services in Western Victoria to apply for these grants,” Ms Tierney said.
Ms Tierney said the funding was designed to enable early childhood services to offer more flexible programs, improve learning environments for children, and ensure centres have the infrastructure and facilities to support increased hours of kindergarten participation.
“This is yet another example of the great work the Brumby Labor Government is doing to support access to early childhood services for all Victorian children, and improved facilities will go a long way to ensuring the first experience our children have of learning in Victoria is a positive one,” Ms Tierney said.
Organisations eligible to apply for the Victorian Children’s Capital Program include local governments, community based children’s centres, kindergarten and long day care centres, schools in partnership with local governments and community organisations.
Grants are available in the following categories:
Up to $500,000 for children’s centres
Up to $100,000 for renovation and refurbishment of existing kindergartens
Up to $200,000 to increase infrastructure capacity to support universal access to kindergarten
Further information is available from
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/funding/capitalprogram/default.htm