Children in Glenelg Shire are set to benefit from technology upgrades ahead of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten starting next year, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced four early childhood services in Portland would share $10,500 in funding to purchase tablet computers through the Labor Government’s Children’s Facilities Capital Program (CFCP).
The Children’s Facilities Capital Program is designed to help Victorian kindergartens that need minor infrastructure improvements or a boost to their IT capabilities, so families can continue to access great local kindergartens. This is the first time that the CFCP has included funding for facilities offering Three-Year-Old Kinder from next year.
Under the program, grants of up to $50,000 are available for expanding or refurbishing kindergarten facilities, while up to $1500 is available to purchase laptop, desktop, tablet computers or televisions for use in services.
Recipients include:
- $6,000 for Jaycee Kindergarten
- $1,500 each for Elsa Macleod Kindergarten, Karreeta Peeneeyt Mara Portland Child & Family Complex and Goodstart Early Learning Portland
In an Australian-first, the Labor Government is investing nearly $5 billion over the next ten years to deliver two years of funded kindergarten for all Victorian children.
The Labor Government is also upgrading infrastructure through a $1.68 billion co-investment with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state in preparation for the roll-out.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is starting in 2020 in six regional local government areas, with the program to be progressively rolled out across the state.
By 2022, the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program will roll out statewide, with children to have access to at least five hours of kindergarten per week, ensuring every child has a great start in life.
Quotes attributable to Gayle Tierney, Member for Western Victoria
“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services as part of our historic $5 billion investment in delivering funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.”
“I’m delighted that Portland kindergartens will receive funding to upgrade their IT equipment – ensuring local children can continue to get the most out of their time at kinder and attend great local services.”