The announcement, made by state Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, is expected to benefit more than 60 small kindergartens, with a combined total of almost $10 million in funding.
From Wednesday, January 1, eligible kindergartens will receive funding equivalent to 18 enrolments, even if their numbers fall below that threshold.
Payments will be made automatically in Term 2 based on reported enrolments.
The aim is to support rural providers, which typically face higher operating costs due to their location.
“This baseline funding boost is supporting the long-term viability of Victoria’s small regional kinders – helping children attend their local kindergarten for years to come,” Ms Symes said.
Kindergartens eligible for the increased funding must be the only service in their town or local area and have fewer than 18 children enrolled.
Each eligible centre is set to receive more than $132,000 per year.
The electorates expected to benefit include Eildon, Euroa, Mildura, Murray Plains, Ovens Valley, and Shepparton.
The boost comes alongside the Labor Government’s Free Kinder program, which is projected to save families up to $2,627 per child in sessional kindergartens and up to $2,101 per child in long daycare centres this year.
The Best Start, Best Life reforms aim to create better access to early education while easing financial pressures for families.
Along with funding operational costs, the reforms include plans for increasing weekly hours in early learning programs.
By 2029, all Victorian children will have access to 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten per week, with pre-prep programs offering up to 30 hours weekly by 2036.
According to the government, billions have been invested in early education infrastructure to accommodate growing enrolments across the state.
The latest increase in funding is intended to help regional kindergartens stay operational and ensure children in rural areas have continued access to early learning services.
“Regional kindergartens play a pivotal role in their communities, and we’re proud to support these services with more funding to help providers and local families,” Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said.
“Families in small towns deserve certainty when it comes to their children’s education – we’re making sure that no small kinder is left behind, giving our little learners the best start in life.”
