Two local kindergartens in Dandenong North are set to benefit from the Victorian Government’s Minor Expansion Grants as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s promise to deliver new kindergarten infrastructure improvements.

Dandenong MP, Gabrielle Williams, said Rosswood Community Kindergarten and Shalimar Park Community Kindergarten would share in $44,200 worth of grants to improve services for children and families.

Rosswood Community Kindergarten received a grant of $24,600 and Shalimar Park Community Kindergarten received $19,600 to enlarge their playrooms, giving them flexibility and space for children to learn, and helping them to better accommodate the improved educator-to-child ratios ahead of their introduction in 2016. These grants form part of the Labor Government’s $50 million investment in the early childhood sector through the building and upgrading of kindergartens and children’s centres across Victoria.

The Labor Government is also providing up to $83.7 million over four years in additional funding to support kindergartens to transition to new staff qualification and ratio requirements.

Better ratios will mean more one-on-one time for every child and boost the value Victorian families receive from the time their children spend at kindergarten, in preparation for school.