Book early for kinder

CARDINIA Shire Council is encouraging parents to support their local kindergartens by enrolling early.
Children turning four by 30 April 2011 are eligible to attend a funded kindergarten program across the shire next year.
Children’s services coordinator Jackie Sahely said kindergartens played an important role in giving children the best possible start in life and a vital first step in preparation for school.
“Community kindergartens offered both a structured and play-based learning that enhances children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in preparation for school readiness,” Ms Sahely said.
“Children love the kindergarten year, they learn pre-reading and writing skills, maths, science, language and creative arts.”
Families in Cardinia Shire may be eligible for the Victorian Government kindergarten fee subsidy which subsidises 10 hours of kindergarten per week for eligible families.
To access the subsidy families must have a health care or pensioner card, Department of Veterans Affairs gold card, refugee or humanitarian visa, be an asylum seeker or have triplets or quadruplets. Three-year-old Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children or 3-year-old children known to the Department of Human Services child protection.
For further information contact your local kindergarten.
Contact details of kindergartens in Cardinia Shire are available in council’s online community directory at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au.