Monday 2 December 2024

The Allan Labor Government is equipping new state-delivered kindergartens opening in 2025 with furniture, fixtures and equipment, making sure kindergartens have the modern facilities they need to help our littlest learners thrive.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced funding will be provided for 6 kinders across the Northern Victoria region opening next year to purchase furniture such as desks and chairs, fixtures like blinds and lamps and equipment such as stoves, dishwashers, play and IT equipment and medical items.

Service providers opening a new kinder delivered by the state will receive up to $100,000 for each 33-place kindergarten room to prepare for their opening.

Service providers include:

• Yea Primary School Kindergarten (interim name),
• Echuca Primary School Kindergarten (interim name),
• Kerang South Primary School Kindergarten (interim name),
• Nagambie Early Learning Centre (St Joseph’s School- Sandhurst Diocese)
• Whitfield District Primary School Kindergarten (interim name)

Eligible purchases made over the past six months will also be reimbursed, ensuring that state-delivered kinders opening in 2025 are ready for children to learn from their very first day.

The Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment Funding Policy is part of the Labor Government’s nation-leading work helping kindergartens deliver high-quality early learning facilities right across Victoria.

This funding, delivered on top of our Best Start, Best Life reforms, will support the fit-out of kinders on school sites and on third-party sites.

The Labor Government is investing billions to build and expand hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting the delivery of 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of pre-prep each week by 2036.

The nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents to return to work or study.

To find out more about the funding including guidelines, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/early-childhood-grants.

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“This investment will ensure kinders in Northern Victoria have the modern facilities they need to help children learn, play, and grow.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn

“Young children have so much to gain and learn from the opportunities provided through kindergarten – we’re opening new kinders across the state and making sure they have the equipment they need from day one.”

“Every year we’re delivering more kinder places in modern facilities, and saving families up to $2,500 per year, to make sure every child in Victoria gets the best start in life.”