Golden Plains Shire Council welcomes the news that children across the Shire will benefit from increased funding as part of the Victorian Government’s School Readiness Funding Program.
Part of a statewide program to support children as they transition from early childhood education to school, Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney MP announced last week that early childhood education and care services across Golden Plains Shire will benefit from almost $95,100 from the Victorian Government.
The funding will help to build the capacity of services, educators and families at Council-operated services in Bannockburn, Meredith, Teesdale, Rokewood and Inverleigh, as well as Eureka Community Kindergarten Association-operated funded kindergarten services at Haddon and Scarsdale and private childcare providers Happy Feet, Bright Minds and Kardinia Early Learning.
School Readiness Funding Plans developed for each service will see new programs and supports for children across Golden Plains, with a focus on communication, social and emotional wellbeing skills, as well as improving access and inclusion.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Helena Kirby welcomed the funding to support learning and development of local children.
“The School Readiness Funding announcement from the Victorian Government is excellent news for local children and families from across the Shire. This funding will ensure that all kindergarten children in Golden Plains have the extra support they need to get the best out of their early learning experience.
“Over the past 18 months, early childhood education has been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and so, Council welcomes this timely initiative to give families an extra helping hand.
“Council is pleased that its early learning services, along with all providers in the Shire, will benefit from this funding to support three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten children as they prepare for the transition to school.”