The Allan Labor Government is delivering more modern kindergarten and early learning facilities for families in Melbourne's northwest.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today announced an investment of more than $20.7 million will deliver five new kindergarten projects, thanks to the Labor Government's Building Blocks Partnership with Moonee Valley City Council.
The funding will deliver up to 523 new kindergarten placements by 2028 - helping to meet the growing demand for Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten in Essendon, Keilor East, Ascot Vale and Airport West.
Montgomery Park Kindergarten in Essendon will be replaced with a three-room kindergarten, supporting up to 178 kindergarten places - and it is set to open in 2025.
The single-room Lincolnville Kindergarten in Keilor East will be upgraded to a three-room modular kindergarten - which, once open in 2026, will provide up to 178 kindergarten places for local children and new space for Maternal and Child Health services.
Coronation Kindergarten in Ascot Vale will receive a new two-room facility - delivering up to 99 kindergarten places when it opens in 2027 alongside a second Maternal and Child Health room for local families.
Milleara Gardens Kindergarten in Keilor East will also be upgraded, with a three-room kindergarten supporting up to 178 kindergarten places when it opens in 2026.
The funding will also extend the heritage-listed Airport West Kindergarten to include two extra rooms - providing up to 178 kindergarten places from 2028.
Since 2021, the Labor Government has entered into Building Blocks partnerships with 14 local councils- delivering 87 new and expanded kindergartens and more than 10,000 extra kinder placements across the state.
The Government's nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money, and support parents and carers to return to work or study.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"Our partnership with Moonee Valley City Council will deliver hundreds of new kindergarten places via a pipeline of projects, giving more families in Melbourne's northwest access to great local kinders close to home."
"An investment in kinder is an investment in our children's future - our Building Blocks partnerships are delivering more than 10,000 new kindergarten places across Victoria, so more children can get the best start in life."
As stated by City of Moonee Valley Mayor Cr Pierce Tyson
"More than a quarter of council's kindergartens will be renewed and expanded under this Building Blocks Partnership. Four of the five kinders will be knocked down and rebuilt completely, increasing the number of licensed kinder places currently available by 180 per cent."
