Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Early childhood education

Mr MELHEM (Western Metropolitan)

Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021:

Last week the Andrews Labor government announced a $9 billion dollar investment, over the next decade, to revamp early childhood education with the Best Start, Best Life initiative.

With the Western Metropolitan Region one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Melbourne this significant announcement is essential and tangible support for families, especially in the west.

With current economic pressures making family budgets tighter, for some families childcare costs can be crippling with up to 25 per cent of income spent on child care.

By delivering a new year of universal pre-prep for four-year-olds, making kinder free across the state and establishing 50 government-run childcare centres, families in the Western Metropolitan Region will be provided with even more options.

This multifaceted program is an important investment in our children’s future while helping save families up to $2500 per child every year and also giving more women a choice to return to the workforce.

We all want our kids to have the best start in life. Ninety per cent of brain development occurs in children before they’re five years old. This initiative will help every child reach their full potential.

Congratulations to my upper house colleague Minister Stitt on her significant work in developing and driving this announcement to help all Victorian families.