Grants to upgrade kindergarten and children’s centre facilities in Werribee are now open. The grants will also help enhance the services kindergartens offer local children and families.

Tim Pallas MP today encouraged kindergartens and councils to apply for the grants to help ensure more children in Werribee have access to a high-quality early learning program.

Expansion grants of up to $25,000 are available to kindergartens, allowing them enlarge their playrooms and giving them flexibility and helping them to better accommodate the 2016 educator-to-child ratios.

Funding of up to $10,000 is also on offer to services planning to enhance their programs through upgrading their playgrounds and conducting refurbishments, improving access for children of all abilities.

Services in Werribee can also apply for grants of up to $1,500 to purchase new desktop computers, laptops, tablets or televisions, giving early childhood professionals the resources they need to enhance their digital learning programs and to support their administrative functions.

The grants are already having an impact on the Early Childhood Management Services who received $25,000 last year.

The Early Childhood Management Services used the grant to create outdoor storage, which increased their overall useable space. This increased their licensed space and allowed them to increase the number of children who utilised their services.

The grants form part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $50 million investment in the early childhood sector through the building and upgrading of kindergartens and children’s centres.

The Government is committed to making Victoria the Education State – and this begins with giving every child a strong start in life.

Applications for the 2016-17 Children’s Facilities Capital Program Minor Grants close at 5pm on Monday, 16 May 2016.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas MP

“This is great news for both Werribee kindergartens and families, whose children stand to directly benefit from these upgrades. I encourage local services to apply.”

“To make Victoria the Education State, the Government is working to boost the quality of children’s services across the state.”