FORTY-eight of the Ballarat region\u2019s kindergartens and centres for early childhood will benefit from the State Government\u2019s newly permanent Early Childhood School Readiness Funding.<\/p>\n
Bundles up to $200,000 will be allocated to early learning facilities and services.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Eureka Community Kindergarten Association CEO, Jo Geurts said the money will boost the area\u2019s access to targeted, early years educational support to ensure kids don\u2019t fall behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know from research and evidence that the most important time in children\u2019s 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll also be able to skill-up our teachers and educators to ensure they have the skills they need working with children every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u201can incredible start\u201d to their schooling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s really important, particularly on the back of COVID. We want to ensure they\u2019re secure in their start to school, and particularly those children that might be vulnerable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can think about what strategies can support the children the best, so it\u2019s a terrific initiative. We look forward to the difference it will make to children in our school and this region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said one in five children start school behind in their development.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom there, it\u2019s hard to catch up. This funding is targeted at those most in need so they can have the best possible support behind them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FORTY-eight of the Ballarat region\u2019s kindergartens and centres for early childhood will benefit from the State Government\u2019s 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, […]<\/p>\n