GRANTS TO IMPROVE AND REFURBISH KINDERGARTENS IN NORTHCOTE

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 yesterday announced 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 including Darebin City Council  for a $395,000 upgrade to the Raleigh Street Community Children’s Centre in Thornbury, $199,599 for a children’s garden at the Alfred Nuttall Memorial Kindergarten in Fairfield, $70,502 for a decking upgrade for the kinder yard at the Perry Street Childcare and Elizabeth Gorman Kindergarten in Fairfield, $83,804 for roof replacement for outdoor learning area at Raleigh Street Community Children’s Centre in Thornbury.

Grants towards these projects including up to $750,000 for larger projects and $150,000 for smaller ones, will upgrade buildings and outdoor areas.

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.

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 – especially women – 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.

Quotes attributable to 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.”

Quotes attributable to Kat Theophanous, Member for Northcote

“Every child deserves a safe and inviting learning environment, that’s why the Government continues to invest in local kindergartens.”