All Victorian children will have access to at least five hours of subsided three-year-old kindergarten by 2022.
The rollout of the major kindergarten initiative will begin next year, with the state government allocating $880 million in its 2019/20 budget.
The plan is to offer 15 hours of subsidised kindergarten programs for all three-year-old children by 2029.
The rollout will begin next year in six regional local government areas: Buloke, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, South Gippsland, Strathbogie and Yarriambiack.
It will be further expanded to another 15 regional areas in 2021, before being expanded across the entire state in 2022.
Subsidies for three-year-old kindergarten programs will work the same way as they do for four-year-old kindergarten. For an explanation on the subsidies, click HERE.
The 2019/20 Victorian budget also includes another $6 million for a kindergarten facilities program to improve playgrounds and buildings, and provide equipment to help kinders be more inclusive and accessible for children with additional needs.
There’s also $92.4 million allocated to support early childhood teachers and educators through more professional development.
“The rollout of three-year-old kinder will start next year, and there will be more investment in teacher training so our kids continue to get first-class support,” Education MInister James Merlino explained.
The Diploma and Certificate III of Early Childhood Education and Care will also be added to the Free TAFE list from 2020.
