By Natalie Gallenti
BRIMBANK kindergartens will receive a much-needed funding boost after the State Government last week announced a $3.2 million grant for early childhood education centres throughout Victoria.
Not-for-profit kindergartens will receive an additional $2300 to be spent on educational resources, including books and play equipment.
A further $600,000 will be provided to help boost kinder places in key areas.
Brimbank Council welcomed the announcement and said the kindergartens to be funded would be dependent on their individual needs.
This could include books, puzzles, outdoor equipment, construction equipment and art and craft materials.
St Albans Park Kindergarten teacher Wendy Leigh applauded the funding boost and said it would go towards replenishing their book supply.
Ms Leigh also said there was always a need for new equipment.
“There are 70 children using the equipment day in and day out, so there is always the need to buy new equipment,” she said.
She also said some blocks had been around since the kindergarten opened 40 years ago, so the money would indeed be well spent.
Ms Leigh said it might also help to ease pressure on parents who were continually asked to help raise funds, but were struggling to pay school fees and other daily expenses. “The committee has to work so hard to raise funds.
“Sometimes we can’t do much because parents can’t support it.”
Sunshine Heights Kindergarten teacher Ianina Paletemps said the funding would help provide much-needed resources.
“It’s long overdue and needed and it will make a difference to the children.”
Council said the $600,000 would be given to Community and Child Health organisations and would help meet the growing demand, and in particular, improve the participation rate in kindergartens within the city.
For 2011, 1611 kindergarten places have been filled out of a possible 2,037 across 35 kindergartens in Brimbank.
