The Federal Government has announced $1.1 billion in new funding for preschool and kindergarten in a bid to ensure all children can access 15 hours a week of early childhood education in the year before they start school.

 

Federal Minister for Early Childhood Peter Garrett said that the new funding will come in addition to the existing $970 million already provided to the States and Territories for preschool education.

 

“Under the current funding arrangements, all governments have committed to providing access to 15 hours a week of early childhood education, for 40 weeks a year, delivered by a trained teacher,” Mr Garrett said.

 

The Commonwealth will now begin formal negotiations with state and territory governments on a new National Partnership agreement, to come into effect on July 1, 2013.