June 1, 2015

Romsey kinder wins $120,000 upgrade to outdoor spaces

Romsey Kindergarten has been a winner in the Andrews Government’s first state budget with $120,000 allocated to rebuild its outdoor play spaces.

Mary-Anne Thomas, the Member for Macedon, visited pre-schoolers and parents at the kindergarten to celebrate the funding of the pre-election commitment.

In its first state budget, the Andrews Labor Government has dedicated a total of $50 million to develop modern and flexible early childhood facilities across Victoria.

Local Councils and other early childhood service providers across the Macedon electorate are able to apply for funding through the 2015-16 Children’s Facilities Capital Program.

Ms Thomas said funding from major grants can be used to build new centres or significantly upgrade existing facilities, responding to the needs of local families.

Major grants of up to $1.6 million will also be available for the development of children’s hubs, bringing early years and family services – including Maternal and Child Health, early childhood intervention services, playgroups and parenting support – under one roof.

Minor expansion grants will be available for services looking to increase the amount of useable space. Infrastructure refurbishment grants will also allow facilities to improve indoor and outdoor areas used by children, and information technology grants can be used to purchase digital hardware.

Labor’s commitment to invest $50 million over the next four years will allow these organisations to plan ahead with greater certainty.

Applications for minor grants will close on 17 July 2015, and applications for major grants will close on 7 August 2015.

More information about the 2015-16 Children’s Facilities Capital Program is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/funding/Pages/capitalprogram.aspx

Quotes attributable to Mary-Anne Thomas:
"These upgrades will ensure Romsey families are able to access high quality facilities and a positive and enriching early childhood education".

"Labor recognises that high-quality early years services are vital to giving every child the best start in life."

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