15 SepThe Future of School Readiness Funding

Posted on 15 Sep 2022

The Victorian Department of Education and Training (Vic DET) and the Hon Ingrid Stitt MP Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep released “School Readiness Funding: Future Directions” on 12 September that outlined feedback they have received from services, teachers and educators about the School Readiness Funding (SRF) roll-out that began in 2019.

This included a list of SRF achievements and areas that needed improving. Following this feedback review, Vic DET announced their four-point plan for the future of School Readiness Funding:

  1. Reviewing the SRF priority areas definitions.
  • The current definition of wellbeing to be expanded and include supports that target fine and gross motor development.

2. Extending the SRF planning cycle.

  • In 2024 SRF will move to a two-year planning cycle, for supports that will be in place from the start of 2025.
  • Funding will be re-allocated to a two-year period and services will be required to develop one plan for that period.
  • There will be flexibility within this two-year period and services can review and adjust them if their characteristics or needs change.

3. Improving the SRF menu.

  • Across 2022 and 2023, the Department will work with menu providers to improve the level of detail included in menu items.
  • A full review of the menu will take place, with a refreshed menu to be launched in 2024 for the 2025 planning cycle.
  • Continuing to streamline planning and administration.
    • All services receiving more than $5000 in SRF can allocate up to 5% of their funding to support planning and administration. Services receiving $5000 or less automatically receive a $250 administration payment in addition to their SRF allocation. This allowance has been in place since 2021 and has been well received.
    • Planning requirements for services receiving less than $5000 will also be reduced this year for the 2023 planning cycle. These services will also receive targeted SRF advice, including guidance on:

– streamlined data analysis

– effective SMART goal development

– choosing menu items for the greatest impact

– developing indicators and measures of success for menu items

– aligning the SRF annual plan with the quality improvement plan.

School Readiness Funding is a permanent and ongoing program for the improvement of education in the early childhood sector. We encourage our members to continue to provide feedback to Vic DET on SRF as this program can be a useful tool to improve the quality of education for children across Victoria.

To access tools and information about School Readiness Funding CLICK HERE

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