The Andrews Labor Government is saving families money and supporting women returning to the workforce, with a major funding boost to create more places at more kindergartens right across the state.
Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt today announced the Building Blocks Capacity Building grant stream will be expanded, delivering more opportunities for the expansion of existing early education facilities and construction of new kindergartens.
Under the changes, grants will be increased for projects completed by June 2026, with funding for expansion projects increasing to $1 million, new early learning facilities increasing to $4 million and integrated children's centres increasing to $4.5 million.
As part of the initiative, new grants of up to $150,000 are available for project planning, scoping and design, further supporting the early childhood sector to deliver vital infrastructure ahead of the roll-out of Pre-Prep.
The Labor Government's Building Blocks initiative is also making more buildings and playgrounds accessible and inclusive for children of all abilities, with 12 Victorian kindergartens sharing in almost $2 million in Building Blocks Inclusion grants to upgrade and improve facilities. The kindergartens are:
- Shirley Robertson Children's Centre, Coburg,
- Renown Kindergarten, South Yarra,
- Beleura Hill Preschool, Mornington,
- Friendship Square Child Care Centre, Cheltenham,
- Robina Scott Kindergarten, Williamstown,
- East West Childcare Association Incorporated, Fitzroy,
- Belgrave Heights Christian School Early Learning Centre, Belgrave Heights,
- Goodstart Early Learning, Bendigo,
- Goodstart Early Learning, Langwarrin,
- Goodstart Early Learning, New Gisborne,
- Goodstart Early Learning, Eltham,
- Goodstart Early Learning, Epping.
New rounds of Building Blocks Inclusion grants providing between $10,000 and $200,000 for inclusive equipment and building and playground upgrades, along with Building Blocks Planning grants, which provide up to $150,000 for planning and pre-construction work on infrastructure projects, are now open.
Since it was launched in 2020, Building Blocks has provided over $190 million to plan, build new and improve early childhood services across the state.
As stated by Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
"With unprecedented investment in early childhood services across Victoria, we're providing families access to better quality facilities and ensuring every child has the best start."
"We're upgrading and improving facilities across the state to ensure more kids of all abilities have the buildings, spaces and playgrounds they need, for the great education they deserve."
"Our Pre-Prep and Free Kinder initiatives are providing families another way to ease cost of living pressures, while supporting more women with more opportunities to re-join the workforce."
