This program aimed to improve early education. Instead, it’s created a growing kinder crisis
A state government program in Melbourne aimed at improving early education is leading to a kindergarten crisis. The initiative, which plans to double free kindergarten hours, is expected to create a shortage of thousands of places over the next decade. Local councils are struggling to meet the rising demand and infrastructure needs, raising concerns about funding and capacity.
- ▪Parts of Melbourne could be short thousands of kindergarten places over the next decade due to a $1.4 billion state government program.
- ▪The plan aims to double free kindergarten for three and four-year-olds from 15 hours a week to 30 hours by 2036.
- ▪Boroondara Council reports it will be 618 places short by 2036 due to increased demand and insufficient infrastructure.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.