In The Field
Funding doubled to support more Bush Kinder programs in Victoria
Freya Lucas
Dec 13, 2024
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The Victorian Government is helping 150 additional kindergartens to take children outdoors to learn in nature, with newly announced funding doubling the number of bush kinder grants across the state.
The Bush Kinder Grants Program funds kindergartens to establish or enhance a bush kinder program in a local natural space.Bush kinder is run in parks, bushland and beaches, giving children the opportunity to explore and develop curiosities through activities such as climbing trees, playing with natural materials and watching wildlife.
Kindergartens without access to a suitable off-site location can use their grant funding to improve the biodiversity of their existing outdoor environment. Funding in this latest round of grants is allowing bush kinder programs to be established at 43 regional kindergartens and 107 metropolitan kindergartens across 53 local government areas.
The educational program builds on findings that regular outdoor play delivers significant benefits for a child’s learning and development, including their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Children who experience bush kinder develop greater confidence and capabilities while learning how to recognise and manage risks in new environments. They also gain a deeper understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts in a hands-on way
One-off $6,000 grants help kindergartens to buy the items and equipment they need to run programs. Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced the additional $900,000 in funding at Bundoora Park, with a group of young explorers from Wood Street Childcare Centre, to deliver the new round of bush kinder.
All told, the Victorian Government is investing $3.6 million over four years to expand bush kinder programs in up to 600 kinder services across Victoria.
Visit vic.gov.au/bush-kinder-grants-program to find out which kinders will be starting a bush kinder program.
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