Victoria confirms ECEC services will continue as schools close

On the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, students in Prep to Year 10 at government schools in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will learn from home from Monday 20 July until at least 19 August, following five pupil-free days already scheduled for the coming week, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed yesterday.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services can continue to operate in line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer and Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, while eligible not-for-profit sessional kindergarten services in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be offered extra funding to enable them to provide free kinder to children during Term Three.

Funding of $460 for each eligible child enrolled in a funded kindergarten program within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be made available, while for all eligible not-for-profit sessional kindergarten services outside of these areas, funding of $230 per eligible child will be offered.

The measures have been put in place as part of broader Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ Restrictions implemented in Victoria, with the aim of limiting the number of people moving across the state to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

To support children to work through any mental health challenges they face due to the coronavirus pandemic, a range of wellbeing resources for students, parents and teachers will be introduced, the Premier said. 

For up to date information about the conditions in Victoria, as they relate to ECEC, please see here.