NUMURKAH tots are learning all about the world through apps and technology, thanks to a State Government grant for two new iPads. Goodstart Early Learning was one of 60 northern Victorian kindergartens to share in $350,000 worth of grants, which included $1,500 IT grants for digital learning. Centre director Emma Keane said the children will use the tablets to learn about multi-media, under staff supervision. Technology is the way society functions. Goodstart is committed to supporting kids access to these things, she said. We are also preparing them for primary school transition, where they will be using iPads. She said the children will access education apps, and teachers will help the tots research topics and ideas. Even our three year-olds use them. They were learning about volcanoes and we looked at pictures and videos of exploding volcanoes. We can also connect with kids on holidays and look at the locations theyve been. She said many of the centre children had previously used tablets at home. It was a new concept for them to use them as research and not just for games. These grants form part of the State Governments $50 million investment in early childhood through the building and upgrading of kindergartens and childrens centres across Victoria. Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes said improving early childhood facilities was an important part of Labors Education State. Through these investments, the Andrews Labor Government is helping prepare children for the transition from kindergarten to school and boosting the value of early years learning for northern Victoria families, Ms Symes said.