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 recently 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.

On Tuesday, Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant visited Beacon Point Preschool who were successful in their application for $1,788 to enable to purchase of 2 x Apple iPads and a 5-port USB charging station.

Grants will be given to 123 kindergartens across Victoria including:

• Bop Bop Karrong Barwon Heads, Clifton Springs Preschool, Drysdale Preschool, Allanvale Preschool, Leopold Kindergarten, Leopold Child and Family Centre, Woodlands Kindergarten, Ocean Grove Preschool, Boorai Centre Ocean Grove and Portarlington Preschool who were all successful in receiving funding to enable the purchase of iPads.
• Goodstart Early Learning Drysdale who were successful in receiving $1,789 to enable the purchase of a projector, portable projecter screen and 2 Kodak Waterproof Digital Cameras for use by educators, teachers and children in the 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten programs.
• Bella Wiyn Biralee Family Centre who were successful in receiving $1,449 to enable to the purchase of listening posts.
• Queenscliff Kindergarten who were successful in receiving $1,708 to enable the purchase of IT equipment.

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.

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 Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant

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