Victoria is set to deliver more than 1,000 new kindergarten places as the state government expands early childhood facilities in areas where demand is growing.
Children’s Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has announced seven new early childhood projects, including five new kindergartens at government schools and two community-based centres.
The new school-based kindergartens will be developed at Edenhope College and the future Thompson East Primary School in 2028, followed by projects at Point Lonsdale Primary School, Banum Warrik Primary School and Maiden Gully Primary School in 2029. Together, they will create up to 591 places.
Two further projects will be delivered through community hubs. The new Bald Hill Community Centre in Beveridge is expected to provide up to 237 kindergarten places from 2028, while Riverwalk Community Centre in Werribee will offer up to 178 places from Term 1, 2029.
The Victorian Government is contributing $15.75 million towards the two community centres, which will also provide maternal and child health services and other community facilities.
The projects form part of the government’s broader Building Blocks Partnerships program, with 20 partnerships supporting more than 120 new or expanded kindergartens across Victoria.
The government says the investment will help support its longer-term target of providing 15 hours of Three-Year-Old Kinder by 2029 and 30 hours of Four-Year-Old Kinder by 2036.
