Families across 57 council areas will find it easier to secure a kindergarten place, with extra funding for local council central enrolment systems.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence recently announced $5.2 million in grants to support local councils to operate Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) services for kindergartens.
For the first time this year, the grants include additional funding for councils in growth areas, helping them to meet increased demand.
The CRES grants will enable Mitchell Shire Council, City of Whittlesea, and Hume City Council to provide registration and enrolment services at no cost to families.
Centralised systems also allow services to identify families who may be experiencing disadvantage and proactively engage with them, with direct links to other council-run services such as maternal and child health programs.
Ms Blandthorn said the grants made education more accessible for families.
“We’re helping families access kinder enrolment for free at more than 1000 kindergartens across the state—easing the cost-of-living pressures facing families—while making it easier for them to access the free, quality kindergarten programs they need,” she said.
“These grants streamline the kindergarten registration process and are a key part of our ambitious Best Start, Best Life reforms, the most significant change in Victoria’s early childhood sector in a generation.”
