ECEC services in Vic receive funding boost to support children get ready for school

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Victoria will receive a funding boost to support children attending Kinder during Term Four 2020 to prepare for school in 2021. 

 

Victorian Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt announced yesterday that more than 1,700 kinders will share in more than $3.7 million of funding, delivered via grants of up to $5,000 to allow kindergarten services to support children who have returned to on-site learning by getting the most out of kinder and on making positive transitions to school.

 

The funding will allow services to fund more kindergarten program hours, and additional educator hours so existing staff can undertake transition activities or provide more one-on-one time with children, and to access allied health support such as speech pathologist and occupational therapists.

 

“Early childhood staff across Victoria have done an outstanding job at supporting children and families during this challenging year – and we’re extending the support we’re providing these services,” Ms Stitt said. 

 

“We’re making sure Victorian children get the most out of their last term at kinder and have a great start to school.”

 

The funding will be available to services that are not yet receiving funding through the Victorian Government’s $160 million School Readiness Funding initiative who are already able to access these supports.

 

The Victorian Government announced $26.7 million in extra funding in Term Four to support early childhood services through the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring sessional kindergarten remained free in eligible services and supporting children in their transition to school.

 

Further information is available on the Department website, here.