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Free kinder program welcomed for Gippslanders welcomed but infrastructure challenges remain for shire councils
Victoria's free kinder program praised, infrastructure challenges concern regional councils.
The Victorian government has committed to an overhaul of early childhood education, under the Best Start Best Life program, which will see kindergarten free across the state for three and four year olds from 2023. While One Gippsland welcomes the government's investment in kindergarten and early childhood education to help address the chronic child care shortages in regional Victoria, ageing or lack of infrastructure remains a significant issue for local government.
One Gippsland welcomes best start policy, but infrastructure costs concern regional councils in providing early learning services
Funding challenges ahead
Additionally, the patchwork of asset ownership in many areas means that local governments may only own a percentage of the facilities but are expected to plan for upgrades to buildings that they do not own.
One Gippsland notes the Victorian government's funding allocation for planning and forecasting as part of the Best Start initiative. However, the ability to support the program's infrastructure requirements in a rate capped environment remains very difficult for One Gippsland councils. For more information, please visit our Early Learning and Education Policy Position Paper website.
Pictures from One Gippsland website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
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