Josh Bull MP announced today that Dobell Avenue Pre-school and Taylors Drive Pre-school are amongst many with in the Sunbury electorate that will receive extra funding under a package worth up to $83.7 million announced by the Premier, Daniel Andrews, on Monday.

Kindergartens across Victoria are receiving the additional funds so they can improve their staff-to-child ratios.

The funding boost will support eligible community-based kindergartens such as Dobell Avenue Pre-school and Taylors Drive Pre-school to hire additional staff, giving preschool kids more individual care and attention.

Josh Bull MP said improved staff-to-child ratios will take effect at the beginning of 2016.

Under the new ratio, kinders will provide one educator per 11 children. The current ratio is one educator per 15 children.

The ratios are a vital part of the National Quality Framework, an important reform that delivers a higher standard of child education and care, particularly in the areas of staffing, early learning programs and health and safety.

This funding is in addition to the $50 million provided by the Andrews Labor Government in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget to build or upgrade new and existing kinders.

The new funds will support kinders to remain strong and viable. This initiative will mean that Victoria’s exceptionally high kinder participation rate is sustained if not increased.

Of the new funds, $7.9 million over two years will be allocated to ensure that vulnerable children who are eligible for extra support will be able to access three- and four-year-old kinder programs.

Quotes attributable to Josh Bull MP

“Labor is transforming Victoria into the Education State, and it starts with kinders and our little ones.”

“This new money means kinder kids will get more one on one care and attention as they undertake their crucial early learning journeys.”

“Victorian kinders do great work in giving our kids the best start in life, and under Labor they’re being supported more than ever before.”