Two local early learning centres will receive one-off $6000 grants to establish or enhance "bush kinder" programs.

St Paul's Anglican Grammar Early Learning Centre in Warragul and Birches Early Learning Centre in Bunyip were amongst more than 150 recipients announced recently.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the $900,000 in grants would buy items and equipment needed to run these programs, helping to double the number of bush kinders across the state.
Designed to increase the amount of time children spend playing and learning in nature, Ms Blandthorn said bush kinder offers the chance to climb trees, play with natural materials and watch wildlife.
"We all want the best for our kids and teaching them about the great outdoors is good for their wellbeing, physical development and connection to nature," she said.
"Kids have so much to learn from regular bush, beach and park-based kinder programs, where each visit offers new opportunities to learn about and discover our great outdoors."
Ms Blandthorn said the state government's "Bush Kinder Grants Program" allows kindergartens to establish or enhance bush kinder programs in a local natural space. Kinders without access to a suitable off-site location can use their grant funding to improve the biodiversity of their existing outdoor environment.
These latest grants will assist 43 regional kindergartens and 107 metropolitan kindergartens, she added.