Families in the Moorabool will be able to save up to $2500 per child every year following a boost in funding for local council central enrolment systems.
On January 15, Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn announced the increase in funding to expand the Central Registration and Enrolment Schemes (CRES) Administrative Support Grants program.
It will support operating costs to enable councils to provide registration and enrolment services at no cost to families- helping up to 140,000 children and families.
Nearby Macedon Ranges council will also relieve the funding, and Ms Blandthorn said it will help ease the cost-of-living pressures for families.
“[It will also make] it easier for them to find kindergarten places so more children can access the free, quality kindergarten programs they need,” she said.
“This funding boost is supporting partnerships that have immediate flow-on benefits to local communities, and are a key part of our ambitious Best Start, Best Life reforms.”
The federal government said a CRES is a single point for families to apply for multiple services within a local government area, helping them secure a kindergarten place to best meet their needs.
As well as simplifying the registration and enrolment process, a CRES can work with other services such as maternal and child health to engage vulnerable and disadvantaged families who need more support.
This new investment will see all CRES councils offered an increase in their annual base funding, and will include extra supports for those councils with high numbers of enrolments and rural councils.
