THE state government has announced a series of huge reforms to kinder.
From next year, parents will be able to access 15 hours of government-funded three-year-old kinder for free. Four-year-old kinder will also be made free, and will undergo a complete transformation over the next decade.
In the next ten years four-year-old kinder will be overhauled into “Pre-Prep”, the state government has announced. Pre-Prep will be a universal program consisting of 30 hours a week of care.
The state government will spend $9 billion on the project. Premier Daniel Andrews said that the changes would help “set our kids up for the future and invest in women – who for far too long have had to do far too much.”
“These are big changes, but they just make sense – giving our kids the very best start in life and delivering early education and care that actually works for families,” he said.
Early childhood minister Ingrid Stitt said that expanding four-year-old kinder to 30 hours a week will “give our littlest Victorians the best start, so they get the best opportunities in life.”
“We know families are struggling with the cost of living and free kinder will help make sure no child misses out on those vital early years,” she said.
The state government has also announced plans to set up 50 childcare centres.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 June 2022
