Govt pushes to give every child access to early education
AN EXTRA $1.1 billion could be funnelled by the Federal Government into preschool and kindergarten services over three years as it pushes to give every child access to early education before school begins.
Minister for Early Childhood Peter Garrett said the money was on top of about $970 million already spent on early childhood education for four-year-olds.
The aim is to have all children across each state able to access 15 hours a week of teaching for 40 weeks a year by a trained teacher.
Mr Garrett said the funds would mean 250,000 children nationally could now be given early childhood education each week, a rise of 50,000 children since the government investment began.
But the funding commitment will be pursuant to negotiations with the states and territories next month.
The $1.1 billion would be spent over three years from July 2013, and was not included in the government's mid-year budget update.
