All kinder will be free in Victoria for the remainder of the school term, with the state government extending its sector support program and contributing an additional $1.6 million in grants.
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Education Minister James Merlino on Sunday said even though childcare can continue as normal under stage three restrictions in regional Victoria, funding will be increased so kinder is free for all children statewide - not just for permitted workers under stage four COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne.
For children whose parents are home-based, kinders will be supported to access and use online programs with play-based learning for parents and children to do together.
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The free kinder would continue at least until the end of term three in September.
"Our early childhood staff do a remarkable job day in and day out ensuring Victorian children continue to get the care and education they need during this challenging period," Mr Merlino said in a statement.
"We're providing a funding boost to give sessional kinders financial certainty and to help kinder kids receive their vital early learning while they are at home."
The federal government earlier this week took steps to guarantee childcare places, centres and jobs as Melbourne moved into its six-week coronavirus lockdown.
The federal government will allow 30 days of extra absences so places aren't lost while children are being kept home.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the initiative would secure childcare spots while ensuring no centres closed or jobs were lost.
-AAP
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