Ballarat children and families will have greater access to kindergarten and childcare places through a $1.25 million upgrade to the Girrabanya Children’s Centre, as viewed yesterday by Victorian Minister for Education, James Merlino who visited the centre to oversee construction work.

A “life changing” program providing seven people with the opportunity to travel the world for six months – on an all expenses paid trip – is on offer to early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals aged 18-35, through the YourBestLife organisation.

Early childhood education and care services whose financial viability may have been impacted by recent extreme weather events, particularly in Queensland and Tasmania, are being encouraged to apply for up to $10,000 government grant to help with community recovery.

The District Council of Karoonda East Murray, west of Adelaide, will receive $550,000 funding for a purpose-built facility which will house a childcare service and provide additional space to cater for a range of community and social activities.

Leading early learning and care providers from around Australia will meet in Canberra later today to kick off the Launch into Learning campaign, designed to ensure the needs of very young children are top of mind in the coming Federal election.