Play money for kinders

GREATER Dandenong kinders will share in more than $180,000 to improve playrooms and boost technology.
The State Government announced successful Children’s Facilities Capital Program grant applicants on Tuesday 13 October.
Major Infrastructure Expansion Grants of $25,000 will go to the Keysborough and Springside community kindergartens, which are both in Keysborough.
In Dandenong North, Rosswood Community Kindergarten will receive $24,600, Shalimar Park Community Kindergarten will get $19,600 and $24,100 will go to Heritage Community Kindergarten.
Olinda Avenue Kindergarten in Springvale will receive $24,600 and in Springvale South, $24,600 will go to both the Springvalley and Darren Reserve community kindergartens.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the cash would allow the kinders to enlarge their playrooms, giving them flexibility and space for children to learn and helping them to better accommodate the improved educator-to-child ratios ahead of their introduction next year.
Noble Park’s Harrisfield Kindergarten will receive an $8500 Minor Infrastructure Refurbishment Grant and Athol Road Primary School Kindergarten in Springvale South will receive $10,000.
They are among 122 grants handed out to refurbish playgrounds and improve access for children of all abilities.
Harrisfield also received a $1500 IT Grant – one of 249 distributed for new laptops and tablets.
“Our kinders need to be up to speed with the latest technology so our kids have opportunities to try different ways of learning,” Ms Williams said.
Springvale South Early Learning in Springvale South also received an IT grant of $1430.