CAPITAL WORKS TO BE DONE AND EQUIPMENT TO BE BOUGHT WITH VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GRANT MONEY Kindergartens across the region will receive more than $160 000 in direct grants to assist with capital works and equipment. More than 15 kindergartens will receive $1500 grants for the purchase of computers or tablets, while grants of up to $25 000 have been allocated for infrastructure improvements. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the grants would improve services for children and families. Northern Victorian kindergartens will receive grants of up to $25 000 for minor expansion works to enlarge their playrooms, giving them flexibility and space for children to learn, and helping them to better accommodate the improved educator-to-child ratios ahead of their introduction in 2016, she said. Ms Symes said better ratios would mean more oneon-one time for every child and boost the value Victorian families received from the time their children spent at kindergarten, in preparation for school. Through these investments, the Andrews Labor Government is helping prepare children for the transition from kindergarten to school and boosting the value of early years learning for Northern Victoria families, Ms Symes said. As a parent of two young children, I know the importance parents place on our local kinders needing to be up to speed with the latest technology, so our kids have opportunities to try different ways of learning. Arthur Dickmann Kindergarten $25 000 Increase floor space to allow for 15 hours of kindergarten to 33 children at any one time, catering to between 44 children and 66 children across the week. Frank R Pullar Childrens Centre $25 000 Introduce a kindergarten program at the long day care centre to support the number of available kindergarten spaces in the Mooroopna area next year with the child to educator ratio change. Goodstart Early Learning Seymour $9950 Installation of a timber fort structure in the kindergarten yard, with a bridge, fixed climbing ropes and tyres. Goodstart Early Learning Euroa $10 000 Supply and installation of a new Riverton Play Unit (fort) including slide, firemans pole and climbing net. Murchison Preschool $6000 Develop a gathering place/fireplace, redevelop the dry creek bed for improved accessibility, implement a long-term plan for managing shade trees, reinvigorate native plant area and include indigenous species, develop sensory garden and improve the natural aesthetics of fencing. Patricia Smith Kindergarten $25 000 The proposed project will increase the usable space by adding an additional kindergarten room to the service. This room will accommodate 19 to 20 kindergarten children, which is an additional 11 children for 2016. This covers the decrease of eight spaces in the existing kindergarten room, plus provides an additional 11 spaces overall. Nancy Vibert Occasional Care Centre $25 000 In order to support the decrease of numbers available across the central Shepparton area for places for kindergarten and 3-6 years age group with the ratio change in 2016, it is proposing to move a number of the younger 0-3 room children into the vacant offices at the front of the building, adjust the age group in the 3-5 room to 2-3 age group or family grouping and provide a kindergarten program (up to 17 places) in the vacated 0-3 room. Save the Children Kindergarten Mooroopna $10 000 Increase playground area by extension of border fence. Merrigum Kindergarten $2400 Extend the childrens outdoor learning experiences through the installation of a greenhouse, and a music and outdoor art area. Undera Kindergarten $10 000 Upgrade to the sandpit play and vegetable garden area, including a shade sail. Toolamba Preschool $862 Replace existing inadequate taps and fit new off timer taps in the childrens bathroom area.