Aussie Kindies Early Learning Stawell recently participated in the launch of three-year-old kindergarten, introduced by the Victorian Government to allow children two years to funded kindergarten programs before they start primary school.
Thirty-six kindergarten services across the six local government areas in Victoria will deliver up to 15 hours each week of programs for three-year-olds led by a university-qualified Early Childhood Teacher this year.
Parliamentary Secretary Sonya Kilkenny met with Aussie Kindies Early Learning Stawell teacher Tarsha Davis, who will benefit from a Victorian Government incentives program to encourage more people to teach in the initial roll-out areas.
“The evidence is clear that children who start kindergarten at the age of three gain long-lasting benefits," Ms Kilkenny said.
(LR) Aussie Kindies Early Learning Stawell Centre Manager Kathryn Allen, Parlimentary Secretary Sonya Kilkenny, Early Childhood Teacher Tarsha Davis and Assistant Centre Manager Rikki Ekman.
Ms Davis, who has been in the Early Childhood Education Sector for more than a decade, said kindergarten programs which focused on children's interest in a play-based setting made enormous impact, especially for children who may otherwise not have access to educational resources and settings.
"We're thrilled our children will be participating in this program during 2020 - Aussie Kindies Early Learning Stawell is committed to delivering the best early education and childcare possible for children in this area," Ms Davis said.
Aussie Kindies Early Learning Stawell is one of more than 150 Lifelong Learning Centres which offer comprehensive play-based school readiness programs, in line with state-based curriculums, guided by Australia's Early Years Learning Framework.
"Our Lifelong Learning approach prepares children for school emotionally, socially, academically and physically, and I am confident our three-year-old kindergarten students will have a wonderful year full of exploration and discovery," Ms Davis said.