Early learning tech funding released

Early childhood infrastructure is getting a boost, courtesy of the Building Blocks planning and funding program run by the Victorian Government. It comes ahead of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten initiative, which promises two years of funded kindergarten programs for children across the state courtesy of the $5 billion pledged over 10 years.

Building Blocks offers funding for infrastructure or facility upgrades and grants for new IT devices.

Announced by Minister for Education James Merlino last week, the $27.7 million in funding is part of the total $1.18 billion education infrastructure package announced last Monday designed to create jobs and kickstart the economy post-COVID-19.

Local councils and not-for-profit organisations delivering funded kindergarten programs are encouraged to apply for a grant as part of the program.

Grants of up to $300,000 are available for early learning facility upgrades, providing services with funding to help them renovate and refurbish their centres.

Organisations can apply for up to $50,000 for a minor improvement project for smaller scale works that will improve the quality of kindergarten services for their children and families.

Grants of up to $1500 are also available for devices such as laptops, tablets and televisions to support the delivery of kinder programs.

Launched in March, Building Blocks streamlines all pre-existing kindergarten infrastructure grants into one overarching program and provides increased state funding contributions for early childhood projects.

The new funding will help early childhood providers undertake projects to improve their services and assist them in increasing the capacity of services to help deliver extra places as Three-Year-Old Kinder reforms are rolled out.

IT grants must be submitted by 22 June 2020. Click here for more information, including application forms and eligibility conditions.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Vadi Fuoco