24 May 2016 North Central Review (Kilmore), Melbourne (General News) LOCAL councils and kindergartens in Northern Victoria are encouraged to apply for grants to build and significantly upgrade early childhood facilities with Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, announcing the grant last Tuesday, May 17. Ms Symes said that these grants will be used to develop modern and flexible kindergartens and childrens centres that will help meet the needs of local families. The State Budget is providing $10 million to fund major capital projects for kindergartens and childrens centres, Ms Symes said. As a parent with children in kinder I know the importance placed on quality, flexible and affordable kindergarten close to home. The Andrews Labor Government recognises that high-quality early years services are vital to giving every child the best start in life. Thats why were making Victoria the Education State. Young families living in country Victoria need early years services, and our funding will ensure they get them. This investment is on top of $50 million over four years from the Labor Government to fund new early childhood capital projects across Victoria. Grants available include: up to $1.6 million to build childrens hubs for early years and family services, including Maternal and Child Health services, playgroups and parenting support, up to $650,000 to build brand-new early learning facilities and up to $350,000 for significant upgrades to existing facilities The Labor Government is focused on making Victoria the Education State and this begins with building and upgrading early childhood facilities to give every child a strong start in life. This investment through the program will support the provision of high quality early years programs for children and their families by increasing infrastructure capacity to deliver kindergarten programs for children in the year before school Applications for the 2016-17 Childrens Facilities Capital Program grant round close August 12, 2016 at 4pm. For more information, visit .