Meeting at the Education Council, state and territory Ministers said Australian children should receive 15 hours of quality, affordable kindergarten per week in the vital year before school. The Productivity Commission found that 15 hours of kindergarten is essential to boosting preschool participation, supporting children’s development and improving school readiness, and recommended the Federal Government continue to provide funding.
“Victoria stands alongside states and territories across the country, calling for 15 hours of kindergarten to be funded and protected.” Victorian Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos commented “The Prime Minister must end the uncertainty for Victorian parents and kinders and commit to funding 15 hours of kindergarten.”
“All children deserve access to high-quality, affordable early education and care,” ACT Minister for Education and Training Joy Burch commented.