My question is for the Minister for Children in the other place. How does the Allan Labor government provide support and fun activities for the children in the Glen Waverley district? Glen Waverley district is the best place to raise the next generation of Victorians, and the community grants provided in the recent free family fun program for Children’s Week proves just that. I would like to thank Kerrie Road neighbourhood house and Happy Feet Fitness for hosting a dance workout and healthy eating program last week, proudly supported by the Allan Labor government. When it comes to supporting our youngest constituents with dynamic education and social opportunities, I would like to give a shout-out to Birralee Preschool, who celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday. They are a wonderful community kindergarten in Vermont South, and I thank their passionate educators Cassie Rolfe, Emily Brown, Yan Sun and Sarah Montell for giving our youngest Victorians the best start for the best life. It was a wonderful celebration held at the kinder, with past educators, committee members and community members coming together to acknowledge this wonderful milestone. I thank my community for supporting our youngest Victorians, and I look forward to the minister’s response.
Minister’s Response:
I thank the Member for Glen Waverley for supporting the delivery of fun and free activities for children in your local area. I would also like to congratulate Birralee Preschool for their 50th anniversary.
Congratulations also to Kerrie Road Neighbourhood House and Happy Feet Fitness for their successful partnership to deliver a Children’s Week event, with the support of our 2024 Children’s Week Grant Program.
I am advised as follows:
The Allan Labor Government supported more than 200 free Children’s Week events and activities with more than 40,000 Victorian children and families taking part in the festivities. Over $180,000 was distributed to councils and not-for-profit organisations with grants of up to $1,000. While the grant round for 2024 is now complete, eligible organisations can apply for a Children’s Week grant in 2025.
In February 2024, the first round of Bush Kinder grants of $6,000, were awarded to 150 recipients. This included 29 kindergartens in the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region, including Bambou Early Learning Centre and Brentwood Kindergarten in Glen Waverley district, and an event hosted in Glen Waverley by Multicultural Women Victoria.
The Bush Kinder Grants Program supports kindergartens to establish or enhance a bush kinder program in a local natural space. The grants are designed to help kindergartens buy equipment for programs that focus on children being in the great outdoors, playing with natural materials and learning through activities such as climbing trees, making a cubby house from natural materials and watching wildlife. Research shows regular learning through outdoor play helps young children develop across a whole range of areas, including physical and cognitive development. Bush kinder programs are educational and fun, giving children the chance to explore and spend increasing amounts of time playing outside, extending their confidence and capabilities in new and natural environments.
Hon Lizzie Blandthorn MP
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
Minister for Children
Minister for Disability
