Free Kinder for Families Through Coronavirus

Our kids will be supported to learn from home during the pandemic thanks to a relief package that will make kinder free for term three.

Member for Eltham Vicki Ward has welcomed an announcement from the Andrews Government of an extension to the free sessional kinder support and a further $1.6 million in grants that will be available through the School Readiness Funding program.

The program is an Australian-first that will give kinders the extra funding they need to access a range of high-quality online programs. These will equip parents with a range of play-based learning activities to do with their children at home, ensuring all Victorian kids continue to get the care and education they need during this difficult period.

Under stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne, permitted workers are still able to access childcare and kinder f there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise their child. This can be for a range of reasons including the other parent could be a full-time student and must attend onsite, has a disability or be working from home that they cannot supervise the child.

This additional parting is part of an up to $45 million support package for sessional kindergarten providers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We’re providing a funding boost to give sessional kinders financial certainty and to help kinder kids receive their vital early learning while they are at home”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Eltham Vicki Ward MP

“I can understand how difficult this time has been for all of the hard-working parents in our community. This funding will help our fantastic kinders to support parents in providing the high-quality early learning our kids deserve.”