Premier

Building And Upgrading Kindergartens For Victorian Families

09 December 2015

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to build and upgrade kindergartens and children’s centres for Victorian families.

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today announced 20 Victorian children’s centres and kindergartens will benefit from more than $13.6 million in capital investment.

This is part of the Labor Government’s election promise to invest $50 million in building and upgrading early childhood centres across Victoria, particularly in areas of high population growth or social disadvantage.

Five centres will receive grants of up to $1.6 million to develop integrated children’s hubs, bringing together vital early years and family services, such as Maternal and Child Health, immunisations services, playgroups and parenting supports.

Grants of up to $650,000 will support communities to establish seven new standalone early learning facilities to offer more kindergarten places to local families.

A further eight existing children’s centres will receive up to $350,000 to upgrade and extend their facilities to meet demand for programs and enrich their learning environment.

Through these investments, the Labor Government is making Victoria the Education State by ensuring more children have access to high-quality early learning services no matter where they live.

It is also providing up to $83.7 million over four years to support the implementation of improved educator-to-child ratios from 1 January 2016.

Families will benefit from improved ratios, which will allow more one-on-one time for every child and boost the value they receive from time spent at kindergarten in preparation for school.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos

“We are delivering on our election commitment, and getting on with the job of improving access to high-quality early childhood education and family services for Victorian families.”

“We know that high-quality early years education and care are vital to giving every child the best start in life.”

Reviewed 10 February 2021

Was this page helpful?