Government branches out to expand bush kinders across Goulburn Valley

By Taylah Baker

Feb 19, 2024

**Financial re-leaf:** Kindergartens will receive funding to purchase equipment for the bush kinder program, such as gloves for tree planting as shown on Mabel Alletsee. Photo by Megan Fisher

A call to the wild has been answered as bush kinder programs are set to expand across the Goulburn Valley.

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State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced several kindergartens in the region will receive one-off grants of $6000 to offer a bush kinder program in 2024.

These include Murchison Kindergarten and Early Childhood Service, Shine Bright Tongala Kindergarten, St Mel’s Kindergarten in Shepparton, Numurkah Kindergarten, and Nagambie Kindergarten and Early Childhood Services.

Bush kinder programs take place outdoors in parks, bushland, and beaches, providing children with opportunities to learn through play with natural materials.

Not only are they educational, but they have also been proven to positively impact a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing.

The $6000 grants will assist kindergartens in purchasing equipment for programs that promote outdoor activities.

Kindergartens without access to a suitable off-site location can use their grant funding to enhance biodiversity in their existing outdoor environment.

Bush kinder programs funded in this grant round will begin on the first day of Term 3 in 2024.

Applications for bush kinder grants in 2025 will open in the second half of 2024.

To learn more about the bush kinder program and the available grants, visit www.vic.gov.au/bush-kinder-grants-program