Local kindergartens across Gippsland are set to benefit from $210,482 in grants as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s promise to deliver new kindergarten infrastructure improvements.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing MP said 63 kindergartens would share in more than $210,000 worth of grants to improve services for children and families.

Three types of grants have been made:

Minor Expansion Grants to allow kindergartens to enlarge their playrooms, giving them greater flexibility and space for children to learn, and helping them to better accommodate the improved educator-to-child ratios ahead of their introduction in 2016.

Minor Refurbishment Grants to allow kindergartens to upgrade their playgrounds or undertake small refurbishment projects designed to enhance the quality of education and care for children attending a funded kindergarten program.

IT Grants which provide Kindergartens up to $1,500 to purchase a new laptop, tablet or other digital hardware to boost digital learning programs and support administrative functions.

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 Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

“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 Gippsland 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.”

LIST OF KINDERGARTENS RECEIVING FUNDING

Drysdale Street Kindergarten Wonthaggi – Minor refurbishment grant $ 10,000.00
White Road Kindergarten Wonthaggi – Minor refurbishment grant $ 8,075.00
Jeanette Loughridge Memorial Kindergarten –  IT grant $ 1,419.00
Drysdale Street Wonthaggi Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,259.00
White Road Wonthaggi Kindergarten – IT grant $ 985.00
Goodstart Early Learning – Drouin – Minor refurbishment grant $ 10,000.00
Longwarry Preschool – IT grant $ 1,037.00
Drouin Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Oak Street Drouin Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Goodstart Drouin – IT grant $ 1,500.00
St Andrew’s UnitingCare Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Grace Berglund Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,083.00
Warragul Community Pre School – IT grant $ 785.00
Goodstart Warragul – Burke Street – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Goodstart Warragul – Sutton Street – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Bairnsdale Early Learning Centre – Minor refurbishment grant $ 8,760.00
Westdale Kindergarten – Minor refurbishment grant $ 10,000.00
Swan Reach & District Kindergarten – Minor refurbishment grant $ 10,000.00
Lakes Entrance Pre-School – Minor refurbishment grant $ 10,000.00
Bruthen Kindergarten – Minor refurbishment grant $ 4,677.00
Paynesville and District Kindergarten – Minor refurbishment grant $ 10,000.00
Cann Valley Community Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Goongerah Kindergarten/Early Childhood development Centre – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Mallacoota Pre School – IT grant $ 1,499.00
Buchan Early Childhood Development Centre – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Orbost Early Education Centre – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Bairnsdale Early Learning Centre – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Wild Cherry Steiner Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Bairnsdale Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Westdale Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,149.00
Lakes Entrance Pre School – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Bruthen Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Swifts Creek Kindergarten/Early Childhood Development Centre – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Omeo Kindergarten/Early Childhood development Centre – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Bruthen Boori Childrens Centre – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Carinya Early Learning Centre – Minor refurbishment grant $ 7,000.00
Cameron Street Pre-School – Minor refurbishment grant $ 9,335.00
Sara Court Kindergarten Traralgon – Minor refurbishment grant $ 8,170.00
Dala Lidj Woolum Bellum – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Goodstart Morwell – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Fish Creek Kindergarten – Minor expansion grant $ 19,391.20
Fish Creek Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Meeniyan Preschool Inc – IT grant $ 1,388.00
Prom Coast Centre for Children – IT grant $ 676.00
Toora Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Welshpool Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Poowong Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Kath Foley Children’s Centre and Kindergarten Inc. – Minor refurbishment grant $ 7,300.00
Hyland Community Kindergarten – Minor refurbishment grant $ 3,000.00
Longford Kindergarten – Minor refurbishment grant $ 3,000.00
Queen St Kindergarten Maffra – Minor refurbishment grant $ 9,257.00
Briagolong Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Sale North Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,500.00
Hyland Community Kindergarten – IT grant $ 519.00
East Sale Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
St. Columbas Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Glassford Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Heyfield Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Longford Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Queen Street Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Stratford Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Gormandale Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00
Gormandale Kindergarten – IT grant $ 1,419.00