The Allan Labor Government is providing funding to upgrade and improve early learning spaces with more than 1,248 kindergartens across Victoria to share in $28 million of funding to upgrade facilities and buy equipment.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio visited Baxter Kindergarten last week to announce the recipients of the latest round of Building Blocks grants. The grants will help make sure all Victorian children get the best start in life.
Grants will be given to 123 kindergartens, which will receive more than $24.6 million to upgrade buildings and outdoor areas. Grants towards these projects include up to $750,000 for larger projects and $150,000 for smaller ones.
An investment of $1.3 million will also deliver eight projects that improve buildings and playgrounds, making them more inclusive for children with disabilities and additional needs.
Funded projects include upgrades to outdoor learning environments, like $150,000 for Goodstart Early Learning in Chelsea Heights to expand its outdoor play space with new artificial turf, new soft fall impact zone, new concrete pathways, and refreshing its garden beds.
Birregurra Preschool will receive over $720,000 to build new staff office space, storage and student lockers as well as additional toilets, teaching space and a staff meeting/kitchen area.
Baxter Kindergarten will receive $1,758 through the Building Blocks Improvement Grants Information Technology category to purchase a new laptop and monitor - and more than 1,000 services will also receive over $2 million for IT equipment.
The Building Blocks Program offers grants to contribute to kindergarten infrastructure and is critical to ensure the success of the roll-out of the Best Start, Best Life reforms across Victoria.
Since the Labor Government launched it in 2020, Building Blocks has invested more than $200 million to plan and build new and improved early childhood services across the state.
Through our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Labor Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents to return to work or study if they choose.
The Victorian Budget 2024/25 delivered a new investment of $128.6 million to continue delivery of Best Start, Best Life, including Free Kinder, Pre-Prep, Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Early Learning and Childcare Centres.
For more information on the program and successful applicants visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"We're delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services so our children can get the most out of great local kindergartens."
"These Building Blocks grants ensure hundreds of kindergartens have the facilities and equipment they need to give Victorian children a great start in life."
As stated by Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio
"Every child deserves a safe and inviting learning environment, that's why the Government continues to invest in local kindergartens."
