Pre-prep rollout welcomed

Published on 02 February 2023

Gannawarra Shire Council is pleased to be one of the first municipalities to implement the State Government’s Pre-Prep program as announced this week.

To be rolled out from 2025, Pre-Prep will replace the current four-year-old kindergarten program, providing access to every four-year-old child in Victoria up to 30-hours per week play-based learning for 40 weeks of the year.

“Gannawarra Shire Council is pleased to be one of six municipalities selected to be the first to implement this significant early years reform program,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson.

“Kindergarten is an important step in any child’s educational journey, and this new play-based program, delivered by early childhood teachers and educators, will improve children’s learning and development outcomes, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”

The rollout of the Pre-Prep program follows on from the successful implementation of three-year-old kindergarten across the State, including at Council-managed programs in Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook and Leitchville.

“The Pre-Prep program will provide economic benefits to the Gannawarra, with the program enabling supporting parents to return to work earlier than they are currently able to,” Mr Rollinson said.

“The program will also open up extra employment opportunities with Council, with extra early childhood educators and Teachers needed to support this exciting new program.”

For more information regarding Gannawarra Shire Council’s early childhood educational services, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/children