A new initiative promises to provide families with more information on which kindergartens are offering Victorian Government approved and funded kinder programs.
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas announced the Kinder Tick initiative at Regans Road Kindergarten in Hampton Park on Tuesday 9 March.
Kindergartens with the Kinder Tick will provide a program led by a qualified teacher with children benefiting from play based learning, and it’s funded and approved by the Victorian Government with compliance with government guidelines and the National Quality Framework.
“This program will mean that families will just have to look for the Kinder Tick to know that they’re sending their child to a government funded and approved program that’ll support their development,” Mr Maas said.
“Early childhood education is so important for a good start in life, and I’m proud to be a part of a government which recognises and invests so much in kindergarten services and programs.”
The Kinder Tick logo will be displayed at eligible local early childhood education and care services, on the service’s building or grounds, and on their website or in their information materials.
The Kinder Tick is part of the State Government’s near $5 billion decade long plan to implement funded three-year-old kindergarten, which is expected to create up to 6000 new jobs in the early learning sector.
In 2022, children across the whole state will have access to at least five hours of funded three-year-old kindergarten.
Kindergarten programs for four-year-olds and eligible three-year-old children in Victorian Government funded services will be free in 2021 with funding set aside in the 2020/21 Victorian State Budget.
This is expected to save the average family around $2000 per child, and will benefit up to 100,000 families across the state.
Mr Maas said funding for three-year-old kinder would be a “welcome boost” for many families in the area.
More information on the Kinder Tick initiative is available at www.vic.gov.au/kindertick
