Enrolments for next year's services opened on Tuesday, April 20 in a bid to deliver fully funded three-year-old kindergarten for all Victorian children within a decade.
Since its launch last year, children across 21 local government areas in regional Victoria have been eligible for 15 hours of government-funded kindergarten - including Strathbogie and Campaspe shires.
Violet Town-based District Early Childhood teacher Alice Clarke said the additional year of funded kindergarten had resulted in "many benefits" since it was rolled out in 2020.
“Our education teams have been able to support children's development over a longer period of time, providing more consistency,” she said.
“It's also been an opportunity to access additional support services at an earlier age for children, through being a Department of Education-funded program.”
From next year, the remaining 58 council areas, including the City of Greater Shepparton, will introduce five hours of funded programs at long day care centres and standalone kindergartens.
By 2029, the $5 billion decade-long reform aims to fund 15 hours a week of kindergarten for all three and four-year-olds - a national first in early education.
Avenel Kindergarten service leader Emma Larsen said she had seen a "huge increase" in the number of enrolments following the move to funded programs.
“The inclusion of a funded three-year-old program has had some significant economic impacts on our community, as families are able to return to work and know their children are able to access at least 15 hours of high quality education and care,” she said.
“Families have reported significant growth and development in their children. We are seeing an upturn in children's oral language skills following the completion of the three-year-old kindergarten year.
“We are really looking forward to seeing how the inclusion of two years of kindergarten will impact children's readiness for school.”
It is estimated the rollout will create 6000 jobs in early education, to further encourage graduates to seek vocational and teaching qualifications.
Ms Clarke said, in line with increased enrolments, she had been able to support local community members to complete qualifications in early childhood education, and boost employment throughout the region.
“We've worked closely with other three-year-old kindergarten teachers within the shire to create a professional network and form strong colligate bonds,” she said.
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