Thrive By Five welcomes Victorian Government’s $50 million commitment to deliver greater access to Early Learning
24 October 2022: Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative has today welcomed the Victorian Government’s commitment to improving early learning access, including $50 million for 1,500 free kindergarten places as part of its ‘Building Blocks Partnerships’ program.
The Victorian Government has also announced today it will build more early learning facilities co-located at school sites to help parents and carers avoid double drop offs and better integrate the two systems.
The Victorian Government will also upgrade, expand and build early learning facilities in the regions of Port Phillip, Whittlesea, Mitchell Shire, Monash and Brimbank.
Thrive by Five Director Jay Weatherill said, “We welcome the Victorian Government’s expansion of its free early learning program for three and four year olds.
“Early learning is critical for a child’s brain and social development, with impacts on lifelong learning and wellbeing. Young children who attend high quality early learning facilities are shown to be healthier, have better educational outcomes and are more productive over their lifetimes.”[1]
“Providing free childcare places will help families struggling with skyrocketing cost-of-living pressures and encourage parents’ workplace participation. In particular, this will help mothers stay in touch with the workforce, bolstering their economic security and unlocking their potential.
“Victoria has played a significant role in building momentum for early learning reform. It now has the opportunity to take a leadership role in working with the Federal Government and other states to develop a high-quality, universally accessible and affordable early learning system for all Australian children,” he said
