July 2005

$7 million for children’s centres

Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt has announced $7 million to build more Children’s Centres across Victoria.

Ms Garbutt said the funding boost was the third stage of a $16 million three-year program to build up to 60 Children’s Centres statewide.

‘Under this funding round, organisations will be able to apply for grants of up to $250,000 to build up to 28 new Children’s Centres in 2005–06.

‘The Government is urging community-based early childhood services to apply for funding and work with us to give all Victorian children the best possible start in life,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘The new centres co-locate key early childhood services such as childcare, kindergartens and Maternal and Child Health Services with specialist services such as speech therapists, psychologists and nutritionists.

‘The centres will provide a convenient, one-stop shop for parents to access primary care, education, support and allied health services for their children.’

The Government has already opened four new multi-use facilities in Beaconsfield, Melton, Oakleigh and St Arnaud with a further 25 facilities to be completed over the next 18 months.

Applicants for the program must be non-profit organisations such as local councils, community health services, churches or schools.

Application forms, guidelines and information on capital assistance are available from the Department of Human Services website at http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/capitalassistance. Applications close on Friday, July 22.