This grants program will support more kindergartens to set up nature programs, giving children more opportunity to get outdoors.

The Victorian Government is investing $3.6 million over 4 years to enable bush kinder programs in 150 kindergartens each year. These $6,000 grants will support more kindergartens to set up nature programs, giving children more opportunity to get outdoors.

The Bush Kinder Grants Program will support successful kindergarten services to do one of the following:

• establish a new or enhance an existing off-site bush kinder program held regularly in a local outdoor natural space, or
• establish a new or enhance an existing on-site bush kinder program by improving the above-ground outdoor biodiversity of the existing kindergarten premises, if suitable off-site locations are unavailable.

Funding must be expended on equipment/items and/or services/time-release that support the establishment or enhancement of bush kinder programs regularly held off-site or on-site for three and/or four-year-old children.

Who can apply?

Your organisation can apply to the Bush Kinder Grants Program if your kindergarten service:

• is currently funded to deliver a kindergarten program in Victoria
• has a current National Quality Standard (NQS) rating (unless not in scope to hold an NQS rating)
• has undertaken (or made significant progress towards) necessary administrative and curriculum planning and stake holder engagement to embed a bush kinder program into the existing curriculum, in line with the VEYLDF commen cing by Term 2, 2026, or already operates a bush kinder program in line with the VEYLDF: https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-early-years-learning-development-framework-veyldf
• has endorsement from the approved provider, nominated supervisor and kindergarten teaching team to commence or continue a bush kinder program, and
• meets their obligations under the Education and Care Services National Regulations (https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2011-0653) with no significant compliance issues or incidents outstanding with the Department of Education.
• has not been a previous recipient of the Bush Kinder Grants Program.

• Email: bush.kinder.grants@education.vic.gov.au