Labor is saving families time and money, with new government‑owned and operated centres opening across Victoria.
The Minister for Children today announced 14 new Early Learning Victoria childcare centres will open this term - including a new service now open in Kings Park.
The centres give families more local education and care places, lower fees and are located near schools, meaning fewer double drop‑offs.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering Free Kinder at all 14 Early Learning Victoria services, saving families up to $2,700 per child.
Three of the new centres, in Kings Park, Wedderburn and Weir Views, are backed by the Albanese Labor Government's new Building Early Education Fund and Victoria's Best Start, Best Life reforms.
The $1 billion Building Early Education Fund provides capital funding to build and expand early learning services in areas of need, including regional communities and outer suburbs, helping families access quality early learning close to home.
The 14 education and care centres opening in Term 1 are:
- Barribina (in Teesdale)
- Bimbit (in Werribee)
- Gamadji (in Craigieburn)
- Garrong (in Kings Park)
- Laak (in Hallam)
- Murrum (in Weir Views)
- Ngalambi (in Noble Park)
- Ngawak (in Frankston)
- Numurkah
- Shepparton
- Thookay Yarkeen (in Portland South)
- Umarkoo (in Wollert)
- Wirmal (in Clunes)
- Wedderburn
The new Kings Park centre will support up to 130 children each day, with long day care and kindergarten programs including Pre‑Prep for children in priority groups.
The 14 new centres, and the four opened last year, will enable up to 1,800 children to benefit from high-quality early childhood education.
We're building 50 childcare centres as part of our reforms to make sure every family can access the early education and care they need close to home.
For more information on the new education and care centres, visit earlylearning.vic.gov.au/centre-locations.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"These new centres give families the support they need close to home, with long day care and kinder under one roof."
"Families can count on quality programs backed by Free Kinder at every centre - saving families up to $2,700 per child."
As stated by Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch
"Local families have been asking for more childcare places and Labor is delivering - saving parents time, cutting costs and giving children the best start."
