Thursday, 31 August 2023

Ministers statements: kindergarten funding

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:10): I rise to update the house on the $3.6 million investment in bush kinder programs across the state. Last week I joined parliamentary secretary in the other place Katie Hall to announce the opening of Labor’s bush kinder grants, providing $6000 to support more kindergartens to set up nature programs, giving children more opportunity to learn outdoors. Bush kinder gives children the chance to learn while they are expanding their curiosity and independence in a natural environment, putting them in touch with nature through outdoor activities and creative play. The grants for bush kinder programs starting next year are now open and will support 150 kinders across Victoria each year to take children’s learning outdoors, and I encourage all interested services to apply now.

While I am on my feet, I note that those opposite have been very interested in how many kindergartens we have been building across the state, so I would like to inform the house of a further five kindergartens to be delivered on school sites in 2025. That is on top of the 17 that I have already announced for delivery in 2025 and on top of the 10 announced for delivery in 2024. I am really looking forward to additional builds in those communities that need them, including Ballan Primary School, Greenvale Primary School, Lakes Entrance Primary School, Whitfield District Primary School near Wangaratta and Dimboola Primary School. This is all part of our record investment in early years education in Victoria, building those kinders that are going to be required to roll out the Best Start, Best Life reforms, helping our children learn through play and giving every child in Victoria the best start in life.