Funding boost for kinders

THE State Government is helping local kindergartens upgrade their facilities and buy the latest technology ahead of the rollout of funded universal three-year-old kindergarten.

Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said applications were open under the $27.7 million Building Blocks program, with grants available to upgrade or improve early learning facilities and for new IT devices.

The program is part of a $1.18 billion package for education infrastructure projects announced recently.

Local government and notfor-profit organisations delivering funded kindergarten programs are encouraged to apply for a grant.

Grants of up to $300,000 are available for early learning facility upgrades, providing services with funding to help them renovate and refurbish their centres.

Organisations can apply for up to $50,000 for a minor improvement project for smaller scale works that would improve the quality of services.

Grants of up to $1500 are also available for devices such as laptops, tablets and televisions to support the delivery of kinder programs.

Launched in March, Building Blocks streamlines all preexisting infrastructure grants into one program. Apply at schoolbuildings. vic. gov. au/ buildingblocks.