Photo: Ross Recreation

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos was at Highgate Early Learning Centre in Ashburton today to announce the 42 kinders to benefit from the latest round of the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program.

They include kinders in Geelong West, Morwell, Stawell, Ballarat and the Yarra Ranges.

The program helps kinders become more accessible and inclusive for kids of all abilities by upgrading their buildings or playgrounds or to buy things like adjustable desks and chairs, moveable wheelchair ramps and soft padding for outdoor areas.

So far, a total 258 grants worth $6.4 million have been distributed to dozens of Victorian kinders.

Highgate Early Learning Centre is one of three kinders in the Boroondara area to benefit and will be getting $123,000 to redevelop its playground so that it’s a stimulating, learning environment for its 55 children – and future preschoolers.

In addition, Through Road Child Care Centre in Camberwell will get $200,000 to upgrade their outdoor space (to be named the Sunshine Yard) and another $81,100 for Cara Armstrong Kindergarten in Hawthorn East.

It brings the total funding for Boroondara kindergartens to $404,200.

The Labor Government has invested a record $123.6 million to build, expand and improve early years infrastructure across Victoria to ensure local families can continue to access great local kindergartens.

It has led to an additional 8,250 kindergarten places for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as hundreds of new and revamped early learning facilities and playgroups since 2014.

It builds on the Government’s landmark $202.1 million Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan, which recognises the importance of giving families support in early childhood so kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.