$18.1 million has been allocated to modernise and tailor support for the state’s youngest learners over four years, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.
Early Childhood and Pre Prep Minister Ingrid Stitt announced the funding as part of the Victorian Budget 2023-24 on June 14, to help make early learning more accessible, easier and more fun with a new approach to inclusion in kindergartens.
The approach includes strength-based learning plans, new needs assessments and education approaches which more closely align with the landmark Disability Inclusion reforms for schools.
Ms Stitt said the reforms are transforming early childhood education and helping to support families.
“Kindergarten is for all children,” Ms Stitt said.
“That’s why we’re modernising and tailoring support for children with additional needs, so they can fully engage in, and benefit from, two years of funded kindergarten.
“Our Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education, saving hard-working families money and supporting parents to return to the workforce if they choose.”
Children with additional needs will be further supported with specialised equipment, including; standing frames and hoists.
This will continue to be available at no cost to kindergartens, under an extension of the successful Kindergarten Inclusion Support Specialised Equipment program.
The $18.1 million package will also streamline applications and assessments under the program, making it easier to hire additional staff and train existing educators in line with demand.
The investment also boosts the number of Pre-School Field Officers (PSFO), who are highly experienced professionals that work with early childhood teaching teams.
The PSFOs will be placed in high-growth areas to provide inclusive programs for children with additional needs to learn, contribute and grow at kinder.
