Council received funds from the Minor Infrastructure Expansion Grants of $25,000 each for four services totally $100,000. The recipients were:
- Nancy Vibert Occasional Child Care Centre – redevelopment existing space to create an 8 place room to support a kindergarten program
- Arthur Dickmann Child Care Centre – put in double doors to yard to improve utilisation of indoor and outdoor spaces
- Patricia Smith Children's Centre – increase room size of second children’s room to provide additional kindergarten places
- Frank R Pullar Child Care Centre – support the introduction of a kindergarten program by upgrading facilities in existing room
These grants will ensure changes to the staff ratio requirements in 2016 will not leave children without a kindergarten to go to.
Council was also successful in obtaining funds from the Information Technology Grants of $1,500 each totaling $18,000. With Council’s contribution this will allow much needed upgrades to computers and internet access for the following kindergartens:
- Alexandra Street Kindergarten
- Arthur Mawson Children's Centre
- Colliver Road Kindergarten
- Dookie Children’s Centre
- Dolena Young Preschool
- Echuca Road Kindergarten
- Frank R Pullar Child Care Centre
- Gowrie Park Preschool
- Isabel Pearce Kindergarten
- Katandra West Children's Centre
- Leslie Gribble Children's Centre
- Patricia Smith Children's Centre
- Rodney Neighbourhood Kindergarten
- Tallygaroopna Children's Centre
Greater Shepparton City Council Manager Children and Youth Services, Sally Rose, said it was very good news for the centres.
“Council is always on the lookout for funding to support the quality of our education and care programs. We know how important it is for every child to have a positive start in life. We will now commence working with the individual departments and services to ensure the improvements are made in a timely fashion,” said Ms Rose.
