The Allan Labor Government is delivering more kindergartens across Victoria, with three new projects creating almost 250 kindergarten places for families in Murrumbeena, Clyde North and Horsham.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today announced more than $5.3 million in grant funding to help deliver three new and expanded kindergartens through the Building Blocks Capacity Building program.
In Murrumbeena, Glen Education will receive nearly $825,000 to expand a former council-run early learning centre on Murrumbeena Road into a two-room kindergarten, providing 70 additional kinder places for local children.
Ramlegh Family and Community Centre in Clyde North will receive $1.5 million to deliver a fourth kindergarten room and upgrades to Maternal and Child Health offices, creating up to 59 new kindergarten places for local families in the City of Casey.
Aboriginal children and families in Horsham will soon have access to a new modular kindergarten operated by Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative, with a share in $283 million for Three-Year-Old Kindergarten creating up to 118 kindergarten places across two rooms.
The kinder supports self-determination through locally led decision-making on children's education and learning.
More than 145,000 children and their families are saving up to $2,600 per child each year through the Labor Government's Free Kinder program, which is available at 97 per cent of kinder programs across the state.
Our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education - helping children to thrive, easing cost-of-living pressures for families, and supporting parents and carers to return to work or study if they choose.
The Labor Government is investing billions to build and expand hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting the delivery of 15 hours of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten each week by 2029 and 30 hours of Pre-Prep each week by 2036.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"More kindergarten places mean more opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive - and with Free Kinder there's less pressure on families juggling the cost of early education."
"Investing in local kindergartens isn't just about buildings, it's about giving every child a strong start and helping parents get back to work or study."
