Local kindergartens in the South West are set to benefit from 20 separate grants as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s promise to deliver new kindergarten infrastructure improvements.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said 17 kindergartens would share in over $60,000 worth of grants to improve services for children and families.
Six kindas in the South West Coast have been successful for grants in the minor infrastructure category including:
– Jaycee Kindergarten (Portland) which will receive $10,000 to construct a new storage shed (6m x 6m) with concrete floor, two roller doors, natural lighting and shelving.
– Kalbarri Kindergarten (Portland) which will receive $10,000 to rebuild their storage shed.
– Dennington Kindergarten which will receive $10,000 for a shade sail to cover the soft fall area in the yard, where climbing equipment is set up for children.
– Goodstart Early Learning Dennington which will receive $5,313 Installation of Sand Pit in the kindergarten yard.
– Karreeta Peeneeyt Mara Portland Child and Family Complex which will receive $4,818 for fencing to be constructed at the west end of the building to divide the children’s yard.
– Goodstart Early Learning Portland which will receive $3,550 for the installation of blinds to the pergola in the kindergarten room.
A number of South West Coast kindas will also receive IT grant of up to $1,500 to purchase a new laptop, tablet or other digital hardware to boost digital learning programs and support administrative functions including:
– Goodstart Portland – $1,500
– Florence Collins Kindergarten (Warrnambool)- $1,165
– Goodstart Dennington – $1,500
– City Kindergarten (Warrnambool) – $1,165
– South Warrnambool Kindergarten – $1,165
– Dennington Kindergarten – $1,165
– Beamish Street Kindergarten – $1,165
– Mahogany Kindergarten (Warrnambool)- $1,165
– Central Kindergarten (Warrnambool) – $1,165
– Warrnambool East Kindergarten – $1,165
– Matron Swinton Child Care Kindergarten – $1,165
– Sherwoord Park Child Care Centre Kindergarten – $1,165
– Allansford Kindergarten – $1,165
– Lions Hopkins Kindergarten (Warrnambool) – $1,165
These grants form part of the Labor Government’s $50 million investment in the early childhood sector through the building and upgrading of kindergartens and children’s centres across Victoria.
The Labor Government is also providing up to $83.7 million over four years in additional funding to support kindergartens to transition to new staff qualification and ratio requirements.
Better ratios will mean more one-on-one time for every child and boost the value Victorian families receive from the time their children spend at kindergarten, in preparation for school.
Quotes attributable to the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“Through these investments, the Andrews Labor Government is helping prepare children for the transition from kindergarten to school and boosting the value of early years learning for south west families.”
“Our kinders need to be up to speed with the latest technology so our kids have opportunities to try different ways of learning.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is making Victoria the Education State – improving the facilities of our early childhood learning environments is an important part of that.”