Ararat's Carey Street Kindergarten host springtime fair to raise money for new building ahead of three-year-old roll out

The Victorian government is investing almost $5 billion over ten years, a change which will see children across the state have access to two years of kindergarten programs.

Kindergarten director Kara Bartlett said although the rollout was "fantastic" it meant the focus on fundraising within the organisation has changed.

"We gained approval for some extra land for the council which was going to be a kitchen and garden program and build up and vegetable garden in that space," she said.

"Now, because of the roll-out it has brought some challenges to light and we are looking at the need to extend our building into that space.

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"Our fundraising efforts will really now have to be pooled into that project."

Ms Bartlett said there was funding assistance available for kindergartens, through the Education Department.

"The grant would mean we need to have at least 25 per cent of the $500,000 needed," she said.

"Most Kinders don't have that sort of money just sitting in the bank.

"Plans are already underway for this to happen by 2021 but we will need to increase our fundraising efforts."

The three-year-old kinder program will be available in Ararat from 2021, with the introduction state wide starting in 2020 in six shires, including Northern Grampians.

On Friday, October 25, the kindergarten hosts its annual Springtime Fair from 5pm-7pm coinciding with the Golden Gateway Festival.

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"This year the funds from the fair are vitally important to ensure that the kindergarten can meet the fundraising targets needed to make sure we achieve our goal, ready for 2021," Ms Bartlett said.

"The Springtime Fair will have a great array of entertainment for families including, market stalls, face painting, Showbags, lucky dips, handball competition, craft activities and performances from The Ararat City Band Development Program, Ararat West Skipping Team, St Marys School Choir and Ararat Primary School Prep Children.

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