About This Site
www.brunswicklabor.net is a website/blog devoted to the dissemination of news about Labor in Brunswick, Carlo Carli MP and progressive/radical ideas.www.carlocarli.net is authorised by Christopher Anderson, 3/58 Heller Cres, Brunswick West, 3055. chris@brunswicklabor.net
Syndicate This Blog
Powered by
Thursday, December 20. 2007
Schools to have children centres under $38M plan
Applications have been called for the Government’s $38.56 million boost to the state’s early childhood services, which will include refurbishments for childcare centres and kindergartens and new ‘one-stop shop’ children centres at schools.
Victoria is experiencing the biggest baby boom in 35 years – which is why investment in quality early childhood services and infrastructure is so important.
Last financial year, there were 70,158 births recorded across Victoria, a 10 per cent increase from 2004-05. At the same time, new parents are returning to work earlier than before, so we have to better plan early childhood services to help families maintain work and life balance.
Under the four-year plan to build more than 40 children centres across Victoria, priority funding of up to $500,000 would be provided to establish ‘one-stop shop’ children centres on or near school sites.
The centres, to deliver a range of early childhood services, including childcare, kindergarten and maternal child health, will be built in partnership with schools, local councils and community-based organisations.
Also, hundreds of community child care centres and kindergartens will receive grants of between $5,000 and $100,000 for renovations, refurbishments and upgrades. Local councils will also be supported to streamline local early childhood services.
The Children’s Capital Program 2007-2008 consists of:
- $20 million to build at least 40 children centres;
- $13.7 million in grants of up to $100,000 for community kindergartens and childcare centres for major renovations;
- $4.4 million in grants of up to $5,000 for community kindergartens and childcare to fund minor upgrades; and
- $500,000 for required planning.
The funding package includes $5 million in grants for up to five councils to redevelop local early childhood services. In these cases, funding to build a children’s centre will be conditional on developing an approved plan to stremline services.
Grant applications for children centres, council redevelopments and kindergarten and childcare renovation and refurbishments close on Friday, 4 April next year. Applications for minor capital grants close on Thursday 24 April next year.
Application guidelines and grants forms are at: www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/early-years-services/library/funding/childrens_capital_program.
Successful applicants will be notified mid next year.
Enquiries about the grants should be directed to: Childrens.Capital.Program@dhs.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9096 9279.
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks