CHECKING IN ON KINDER KITS ROLL-OUT ACROSS VICTORIA
Tens of thousands of Victorian children in the Andrews Labor Government’s funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten are nearing the end of their first term of early education – giving them the best start on their learning journey.
Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt today visited Yappera Children’s Service in Thornbury with AFL legend and children’s book author Eddie Betts to hear feedback from the experts – three-year-olds – about the Labor Government’s Kinder Kits, provided to all children who start Three-Year-Old Kinder.
The Kits are illustrated carrycases made of recycled materials that folds out to a flat play surface, allowing for creative play-based learning at home to continue children’s learning outside the kinder setting.
Each kit includes two books, with the Aboriginal football champion’s My People among the collection given to the children. Other books also available in the kits include:
- Windows, Patrick Guest and illustrated by Jonathan Bentley
- Tell ’Em!, Rosemary Sullivan and Katrina Germein, and illustrated by Karen Briggs
- Where does a giraffe go to bed?, Craig MacLean
- A to Z Story of Australian Animals, Sally Morgan and illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
- My Dog Bigsy, Alison Lester
The kits also include Tinta Crayons, Wild Dough play dough, Korango Australian animal magnets, a Micador early start development activity pad, Seed Collection alfalfa seeds, Flip Make Play Family Cards and Pure Baby story cubes designed by Nikita Rotumah – a Traditional Owner from the Gunditjmara and Bunitj tribes.
The Victorian-designed kits celebrate the nation-leading statewide roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten this year, and complement learning at kinder with fun and creative activities.
The activities are designed to help families get involved in their child’s education, showing parents and carers how play-based learning can support children’s development – as well as making sure every Victorian child has educational play-based materials at home to keep them busy and instill a love of learning in them early.
Families can still talk to their local kindergarten and long day care services about enrolling for 2022, and can look for a service near them by visiting the ‘Find a Kinder Program’ website at findakinder.educationapps.vic.gov.au.
The Kinder Tick initiative is also helping families to find approved kinder programs, led by a qualified teacher. Visit vic.gov.au/kinder-tick to find out more.
Quote attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt
“It’s been fantastic to visit children embarking on Three-Year-Old Kinder so far this year, and to see them playing with our fantastic Kinder Kits as they start developing a lifelong love of learning, creativity and great social skills.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous
“The kinder kit is such an enriching resource for families and children - and it's a big hit with our three-year-old too! It's been wonderful to see local families enjoying using their kits to explore creative activities together and grow a deeper understanding of play-based learning."
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt
"Books like Eddie Betts's My People are a great way to foster a love of early literacy in young children, and will set them up for success right through their education."
