Boost for preschools

Published on 21 October 2014

Loddon Shire’s five Council-owned kindergartens received a financial boost last month with the announcement by Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell of a state government decision to increase the start-up and annual grants for kindergarten cluster managers.

The Shire is cluster manager for Loddon’s kindergartens, offering administrative, management and program development support.

In Victoria, 56 cluster managers now oversee 855 community-based kindergartens, which account for 45 per cent of Victoria’s preschool enrolments.

The government’s annual grant has increased by 10%, effective immediately, signifying an investment of $6.4 million over four years.

Council’s Early Years Coordinator Alycia O’Sullivan said the announcement meant an extra estimated $600 a year for Loddon.
 
“It’s a great help to our kindergartens, as it means less money they have to find through their parent committees to maintain and improve their centres,” Ms O’Sullivan said.