Friday 20 April 2018

More kinders, more integrated children’s hubs and more upgraded facilities could be on the cards for Gippsland families, with the Andrews Labor Government investing in more infrastructure.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing has announced the 2018-19 Children’s Facilities Capital Program Major Grants round open for applications so new kinder projects can get underway.

Local councils, not-for-profit organisations and schools in Gippsland are encouraged to apply for funding through three grants categories, including:

• Up to $1.6 million to build integrated children’s centres to provide early years education and family services, including Maternal and Child Health services, playgroups and parenting support
• Up to $650,000 to build brand-new early learning facilities to offer more kinder places and support services for local families
• Up to $350,000 for significant upgrades to existing facilities to increase the number of kinder places or improve learning spaces

The Labor Government is providing $43 million to build, upgrade and improve early learning facilities across Victoria, as part of the Victorian Budget 2018/19.

It will bring the number of funded kinder places the Government has created since 2014 to 8,250.

The Labor Government is delivering a record $123.6 million to build, expand and improve early years infrastructure across Victoria to ensure local families can continue to access great local kindergartens, including $10 million targeting growth areas.

Victorian families are also benefiting from the Government’s $202.1 million Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan, which provides strong support in early childhood so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.

Applications close on 31 July, 2018 and must be submitted online. For more information, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing:

“We are giving Gippsland kids the best start in life by investing in early years infrastructure, improving kinder programs and delivering better family services.”

“I strongly encourage local kinders and operators to start their grant applications so that we can continue providing for our littlest Victorians.”