By Oliver Lees
Hume council has endorsed the state government’s roll-out of free three-year-old kindergarten across the municipality for 2022.
It follows the state government’s announcement in April of almost $5 billion toward 15 hours a week of funded kindergarten for three and four-year-olds across the state.
The program will replace Hume council’s current service of two and a half hours per week of funded early learning for three-year-olds, with five hours per week from 2022 and 15 hours per week by 2029.
All Victorian local government areas have been invited to participate in the roll-out.
Hume councillor Carly Moore said the endorsement of the roll-out extends council’s “long and proud history of supporting life-long learning”.
“Evidence shows that two years of kindergarten has more impact than one, especially for children most likely to be developmentally vulnerable,” Cr Moore said.
“Lays the foundation for enduring success at school and in a range of outcomes including literacy, numeracy and social and emotional wellbeing.”
“This is great news for our youngest residents.”
There are currently 20 activity groups for three-year-olds across Hume, as well as playgroups and long daycare services.
Cr Karen Sherry said more school time will be a benefit to children in the community.
“I’m looking forward to the roll-out, particularly in the southern part of Hume where literacy outcomes aren’t as good as they could be,” Cr Sherry said.
“I just think that an extra five hours a week and the encouragement that parents will get from that will certainly bear fruit for children in our municipality.”
Cr Jarrod Bell said it was important for local government to play a role in supporting childhood development.
“It’s only right we take that leap forward, we take that opportunity and we bring those opportunities for our youngest residents to get the strongest foundation so that when they do go to school they are ready to thrive,” he said.
