Victorian children, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, will receive a free kit to help them start three-year-old kindergarten as part of the state government’s reform of the state’s early childhood system.
Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Minister Ingrid Stitt and Early Childhood Parliamentary Secretary Katie Hall announced the kinder kits on Wednesday, December 21.
The kits are designed to encourage continued learning through play at home and includes a number of tips and ideas to help parents guide their child’s early learning and development.
The illustrated carrycase is made from recycled materials and opens out to become a play surface with a whiteboard and markers and can be repurposed as a memento box for each child.
The kit also includes crayons, whiteboard markers, castanets, play dough, an early start development activity pad, alfalfa seeds, two Australian books, family playing cards and story cubes designed by Traditional Owner and Gunditjmara Bunitj woman and Traditional Owner Nikita Rotumah.
Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Minister Ingrid Stitt said all children deserve the best start to life.
“Two years of free, quality early childhood education gives our children a strong foundation for success at school and supports their learning, development and wellbeing,” she said.
“Kinder kits are a great way to get families directly involved in their child’s education and the value of play-based learning.
“We can’t wait to see how children and families make these kits their own.”
