This article has been reposted from 9news.com.au.
Kindergarten will be free in Victoria next year under a $169.6 million funding boost allocated in the State Budget. The free tuition is set to save around 100,000 families about $2000 for every child enrolled in a funded kindergarten program. Subsidies will also be offered to early childhood services providing funded kindergarten programs, which would mean free kindergarten for four-year-olds and eligible three-year-olds attending a participating centre.
Premier Daniel Andrews today said the funding boost aimed to support working families, particularly women, to return to work.
“This is all about household budgets and supporting families, with more money in their pocket,” Mr Andrews said.
“So that families can have certainty, security and a sense of safety.
It’s also about making sure women can work the hours they want to work.”
There will also be reduced fees for unfunded three-year-old kindergarten programs.
The move follows the state government’s announcement in September that four-year-old kindergarten would be free in Victoria in Term 4 this year.
The Victorian Government has also invested $81.6 million into a “massive expansion” of before and after school care, which will see an increase in the availability of programs.
The funding will help establish new services and support for costs including equipment, setup and administration, facility upgrades and transport.
Grants of up to $75,000 will also be made available to start new school care programs at up to 400 government schools.
“More schools will be able to establish before and after school care programs for students, giving parents greater flexibility when it comes to work, study, training or finding new opportunities,” Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said.
If you’re eligable for funding under the state government’s new kindergarten/school care plan, give us a call today! Our range of portable touch screens, portable PA systems and early learning technologies are the perfect addition to your early learning/kindergarten/school care classrooms.