The Andrews Labor Government is helping early learning services in Dandenong buy new equipment and learning kits to ensure Dandenong children of all abilities get the best out of their time at kinder.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, today announced three kindergartens in Dandenong were successful in their applications for new equipment to support inclusion of all children.

The Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program equipment stream provides up to $10,000 for items that promote inclusiveness and diversity, including adjustable tables and chairs and sensory equipment such as padded mats and weighted cushions.

Dandenong North East Kindergarten, Dandenong Primary Kindergarten and Dandenong South Primary Kindergarten children have together received more than $13,000 to provide new equipment and play items. These funds will ensure each kindergarten has the necessary resources to create an environment which supports the learning and development of the children who attend their programs.

The Victorian Budget 2019/20 included $6 million for the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program to help kindergartens across the state provide safe and inclusive environments for children with additional needs.

This is part of the Government’s $5 billion commitment to deliver a full 15 hours of Three-Year-Old Kinder to every Victorian child over the next decade, with the rollout beginning in 2020.

The roll-out will continue progressively across the state, with families in a further 15 regional LGAs to benefit in 2021. This will be expanded in 2022 to give three-year-olds across the rest of the state access to five hours of funded kindergarten, before being scaled up to a full 15-hour program by 2029.

The Labor Government’s investment in three-year-old kinder also includes $473.2 million for early childhood infrastructure, which will support the sector to invest in new and expanded kindergarten facilities, when and where they are needed most.