Building Blocks Grant Secured for Jack & Jill Kindergarten
Ararat Rural City Council has secured a $745,000 Victorian Government Building Blocks Improvement grant for Jack and Jill Kindergarten, through a stream of funding designed to improve the quality of learning environments for kindergarten children.
The funding was sought by Council as this year our municipality begins its 30 hours of Pre-Prep program; one of our community's central kindergarten services is Jack & Jill Kindergarten, whose building is now 40 years old.
The classroom and internal learning environment have not been renewed or updated since Jack & Jill was built, and upgrades are needed to meet modern and current facility standards and expectations.
This project will deliver upgrades to the main classroom, kitchen, children's bathroom, sensory room, foyer, and staff areas. Connectivity to the under-utilised western yard will be improved, and all areas will be refreshed with a re-paint, new LED lighting, new flooring, and improved access and mobility throughout.
Building Blocks supports the provision of high-quality early years programs for children and their families by increasing infrastructure capacity to deliver kindergarten programs for three- and four-year-old children, and improving the quality of kindergarten facilities to provide access to learning for children of all abilities and needs.
The funding is supplemented by a $76,000 contribution from Council.
"After 40 years climbing up the hill to fetch an early education, the students of our beloved Jack & Jill Kindergarten will soon have a fresh and modern space to grow, learn, and thrive," says Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong. "This upgrade is incredibly well-deserved and will ensure our youngest learners can fully engage in the early education activities offered at Jack & Jill."
