Kids in Armstrong Creek and Phillip Island will have easier access to kinder than ever before thanks to a $6.2 million investment from the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today announced two Building Blocks Capacity Building Grants which will deliver a new modular kindergarten in the City of Greater Geelong and a new early learning facility in Phillip Island, creating up to 244 new kinder places.
The Labor Government will fully fund the delivery of a new three-room modular kindergarten in Armstrong Creek including play spaces, car parking and landscaping, and a maternal and child health room.
The new kinder, which will be built at Bloinkes Community Centre in Armstrong Creek, will offer up to 178 kindergarten places, with the City of Greater Geelong funding an additional community room and amenities.
Phillip Island Kindergarten will use their grant of more than $2 million to build a new early learning facility with two kindergarten rooms in Cowes, creating up to 66 new places under an integrated childcare model.
Building Blocks Capacity Building Grants support the early learning sector to build new facilities, or expand existing infrastructure, to create additional kindergarten places for three- and four-year-olds right across Victoria.
Since Building Blocks was launched in 2020, the Labor Government has invested more than $235 million in planning, building and upgrading early childhood services across the state.
The Labor Government's nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money, and support 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 up to 30 hours of pre-prep each week by 2036.
For more information, go to schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/building-blocks-grants-capacity-building.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"We're delivering Free Kinder and unprecedented investment in early childhood services across Victoria to make sure our kids and their families can access the best kindergarten and childcare services."
As stated by Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
"This new facility is a great investment in our growing community, ensuring every child has access to quality early education close to home."
As stated by Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
"This grant means more young Victorian children will have a kindergarten place with modern facilities close to home, setting our youngest learners up with educational and social benefits that will last a lifetime."
