- Published:
- Wednesday 13 December 2023
The Allan Labor Government is giving Victorian families more kindergarten options, delivering capacity grants to build new kinders and expand existing services, creating additional kinder places across the state.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today announced the latest recipients of the Labor Government’s Building Blocks Capacity Grants, investing a total of $16.9 million across five local government areas and creating over 300 kindergarten places – giving local families bigger and better kindergartens close to home.
Services receiving funding in this round are:
Gowrie Victoria in Carlton North
Oxley Kids in Chirnside Park
Lucas Kindergarten in Alfredton
Hardy’s Road Family and Community Centre in Cranbourne East
Sebastopol Community Hub (interim name) in Ballarat
Dromana Preschool Inc in Dromana
The Building Blocks Capacity Building stream offers grants to help increase capacity through new or expanded kindergartens, with these 6 projects bringing the total grants this year to 18 which will all open across 2025 and 2026. Through total funding of $47,658,462, creating approximately 896 new places.
Capacity grant funding has already increased significantly since the introduction of free Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, with grants now scaled in line with the number of new places created.
The Labor Government’s nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education, saving families money and making it easier for parents to return to work or study if they choose.
As part of the Victorian Budget 2023/24, the Labor Government is continuing to deliver the kindergarten infrastructure Victoria needs – investing an additional $1.2 billion for new kinders at or near government and low-fee non-government schools, alongside new and expanded kinders on local government sites.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
“The latest rounds of grants will help support the roll-out of our generational kindergarten reforms, giving every family world-class kindergarten options close to home.”
“We’re making sure every Victorian child gets the best start to life, which is why we’re partnering with local councils to help our fastest growing communities get access to reliable, quality childcare.”
“Kindergarten helps children become confident learners in a safe and supported environment. We’re proud to partner with local councils to make kinder accessible for all local three and four-year-olds.”