Victorian children will receive a free Kinder Kit full of fun and educational toys, books and resources when they start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, helping them to grow and thrive through creativity and play as part of the Andrews Labor Government's ambitious reform of the state's early childhood system.
Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt and Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Katie Hall today visited Derby Street Children's Centre in Pascoe Vale to unveil the new kits, with children eager to try out the specially selected activities and games.
The kits are designed to encourage continued learning through play at home and include lots of tips and ideas to help parents guide their child's early learning and development.
The illustrated Kinder Kit carrycase is made from recycled materials - designed and built for flexible, long-term use. The case opens out to become a play surface with whiteboard and markers and can be repurposed as a memento box for each child.
The kit includes Tinta Crayons, Tiger Tribe whiteboard markers and castanets, Wild Dough playdough, a Micador early start development activity pad, Seed Collection alfalfa seeds, Flip Make Play family playing cards and Purebaby story cubes designed by Nikita Rotumah, a Traditional Owner and proud Gunditjmara Bunitj woman.
Children will also receive two great Australian books from a list including Birds In The Bush by Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir and Jeannette Rowe; Whose Animals? Australia, by Jeannette Rowe in consultation with Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir; Where is Galah? by Sally Morgan and My Friend Fred, written by Frances Watts and illustrated by A. Yi.
Each item in the kit is age-appropriate, child-safe and inclusive, and has been recommended by education experts to help families make "learning through play" part of their child's everyday life.
All Kinder Kit suppliers are Australian businesses, with an estimated 60 Victorian businesses, creative talent and makers proudly represented in the kit's design and items.
Through the Best Start, Best Life reform, the Labor Government is delivering an ambitious overhaul of early childhood education over the next decade to help children thrive, save families money and support parents, especially women, to return to work.
As stated by Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
"All children deserve the best start to life - two years of free, quality early childhood education gives our children a strong foundation for success at school and supports their learning, development and wellbeing."
"Kinder Kits are a great way to get families directly involved in their child's education and the value of play-based learning. We can't wait to see how children and families make these kits their own."
As stated by Member for Pascoe Vale Anthony Cianflone
"Making sure that children in Pascoe Vale, and across the state, have the best start in life is our priority, and we're ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have equal opportunities in life."
