From 2023, the Free Kinder Program will be available for all Victorian three and four-year-old children at participating services in both standalone (sessional) services and long day care (childcare) settings.
Over the next decade, four-year-old kindergarten will transition to 'Pre- Prep' - increasing to a 30-hour a week program of play-based learning for every four-year-old child in Victoria.
This is great news for Bayside families.
Council is exploring opportunities for expansion at existing early childhood sites to increase capacity and provide fit-for-purpose facilities for kindergarten, maternal and child health, occasional care and other early years services.
Investing in the future
Recent investments in upgraded and expanded facilities at Hurlingham Park Preschool and North Brighton Children's Centre, as well as a new build in Fern Street, Black Rock (operating in 2024) are boosting early years infrastructure across Bayside.
Thanks to an impressive, indoor/ outdoor upgrade at Hurlingham Park Preschool, parent Danielle said she couldn't have hoped for a better start to her daughter's education, "who happily bounces through the door when she arrives".
The finishing touches are almost complete at North Brighton Children's Centre, where Maternal and Child Health and Brighton Playroom will soon be returning, joining North Brighton Kindergarten families who are already experiencing the fantastic new facilities.
"Our children love learning and playing in the renovated building and garden. Our teachers are so pleased to be back "home" at Cochrane Street" says Diana Telford, North Brighton Kindergarten President.
The beautiful new two-room three and four-year-old kindergarten now accommodates up to 55 students, increasing places by 28 per week.
Construction at the Fern Street Children's Centre is underway, with a 66-place kindergarten in a state-of the-art facility also offering maternal and child health, occasional care and a community space.
Council is committed to improving accessibility and the quality of early childhood education and care services in Bayside.
