The Allan Labor Government is making sure more kindergartens have the modern facilities and technology they need to help children thrive, with new funding available for upgrades and improvements across the state.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Southern Metropolitan Ryan Batchelor today visited St Kilda and Balaclava Kindergarten, to announce the next round of Building Blocks Improvement grants.
St Kilda and Balaclava Kindergarten was a recipient of the last round of grants and received $750,000 from the Government to renovate the property.
Early childhood education providers can now apply for a share of $10 million to help upgrade and improve their facilities or access the latest IT equipment.
Grants of up to $750,000 are available to eligible organisations for renovation and refurbishment projects that modernise and improve kindergarten learning environments for children.
Funding for smaller-scale improvements is also available, with up to $150,000 on offer for minor infrastructure projects that improve the quality of kindergarten services.
Up to $2,000 is available to kinders and eligible service providers to purchase computers, televisions and other technology for use in educational programs and service administration, to help future-proof our kindergartens and blend play-based learning with the latest digital technology.
Since launching in 2020, the Building Blocks program has provided more than $235 million for new kindergarten buildings, expansions and improvements, supporting the sector to deliver high-quality kindergarten programs for children and families across the state.
Through our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Government is 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.
Applications for IT applications close on 4 September 2024 and grants for facility upgrades and minor works close on 2 October 2024. To apply for a grant or find out more, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/building-blocks-grants-improvement.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"Every kinder deserves to have modern, high-quality learning facilities. This funding will help our kinders to renovate and refurbish their learning spaces, so more children can get the best start in life."
"We're investing $10 million in this round of Building Blocks Improvement grants, future-proofing our kinders with quality early learning facilities and modern IT equipment, so children can thrive."
As stated by Member for Southern Metropolitan Ryan Batchelor
"It is fantastic to be here today to see just how much these grants are helping improve early learning facilities in the community."
"These grants will help local kinders expand or modernise their spaces- and we encourage eligible early learning facilities to apply."
