State funds prepare early learners for school

FORTY-eight of the Ballarat region’s kindergartens and centres for early childhood will benefit from the State Government’s newly permanent Early Childhood School Readiness Funding.

Bundles up to $200,000 will be allocated to early learning facilities and services.

The funding will be needs-based, assisting educators and support staff to prepare children for school, decrease educational disadvantages, get them to an appropriate developmental level in their learning and communication, and increase their wellbeing.

Eureka Community Kindergarten Association CEO, Jo Geurts said the money will boost the area’s access to targeted, early years educational support to ensure kids don’t fall behind.

“We know from research and evidence that the most important time in children’s brain development is between birth and the age of five, and this will help us access the programs children need to start school and formal learning really ready to do so,” she said.

“The funding will allow us to purchase and access speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychological support for children who have experienced trauma, and pay additional staff to work in kindergartens directly with children.

“We’ll also be able to skill-up our teachers and educators to ensure they have the skills they need working with children every day.”

Phoenix P-12 Community College is also the home of Phoenix Kindergarten. Principal Karen Snibson said Early Childhood School Readiness Funding will ensure their youngest learners have “an incredible start” to their schooling.

“That’s really important, particularly on the back of COVID. We want to ensure they’re secure in their start to school, and particularly those children that might be vulnerable,” she said.

“We can think about what strategies can support the children the best, so it’s a terrific initiative. We look forward to the difference it will make to children in our school and this region.”

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said one in five children start school behind in their development.

“From there, it’s hard to catch up. This funding is targeted at those most in need so they can have the best possible support behind them,” she said.