Inclusive Early Childhood Education for Eltham

Vicki Ward, Member for Eltham, is encouraging local kindergartens to see how they can improve accessible.

The recent state budget includes a record investment in early childhood education of $1 billion dollars, including $6 million for the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program. The program helps kindergartens across the state provide safe and inclusive environments for children with additional needs.

Applications are open for kindergartens to apply for up to $200,000 to upgrade their buildings or playgrounds to become more inclusive for children of all abilities. Grants of up to $10,000 are also available to buy equipment such as adjustable desks and chairs, moveable wheelchair ramps and soft padding for outdoor areas.

The Labor Government has already helped more than 260 kindergarten services upgrade their buildings and playgrounds or provided inclusive equipment though the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program.

Making Victoria the Education State starts with the early years. That’s why, in an-Australian first, the Victorian Government will be rolling out subsidised kindergarten programs for all three-year-old children.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Eltham, Vicki Ward:

“With State funding for universal three year old kinder about to be rolled out, these grants are more important than ever to help all children access early childhood education.”