Making kinder buildings and playgrounds more inclusive

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring Daylesford children of all abilities get the best out of their time at kinder, thanks to an upgrade at Daylesford Community Childcare Centre.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today announced Daylesford Community Childcare Centre was one of 54 services to secure funding to upgrade their buildings and playgrounds to make them more inclusive and accessible for children with additional needs.

The Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program playground and buildings stream provides up to $200,000 in upgrades to create more inclusive and welcoming environments for all children.

Daylesford Community Childcare Centre will receive $126,495 for upgrades which will include adjustments made to doorways to allow better accessibility throughout the centre, creating appropriate transitions through external and internal entryways, heating and cooling installation in one playroom and acoustic treatments for two playrooms.

The Victorian Budget 2019/20 included $6 million for the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program to help kindergartens across the state provide safe and inclusive environments for children with additional needs.

Making Victoria the Education State starts with the early years. That’s why, in an Australian first, the Victorian Government has committed almost $5 billion to deliver 15 hours of funded three-year-old kindergarten programs to children in Victoria over the next decade.

Three-Year-Old Kindergarten will be rolled out progressively across the state, with families in 21 regional LGAs to benefit in 2020 and 2021The roll-out will continue progressively across the state, with families in a further 15 regional LGAs to benefit in 2021. This will be expanded in 2022 to give three-year-olds across the rest of the state access to five hours of funded kindergarten, before being scaled up to a full 15-hour program by 2029.

The Labor Government’s investment in Three-Year-old Kinder also includes $473.2 million over five years for early childhood infrastructure, which will support the sector to invest in new and expanded kindergarten facilities, when and where they are needed most.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
"These upgrades will make a big difference in ensuring children of all abilities attending kindergarten in Daylesford get the support they need to thrive."

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"It’s vital to provide welcoming and inclusive environments for children of all abilities, that’s why we’re upgrading Daylesford Community Childcare Centre."