- Published:
- Friday 22 December 2023
The Allan Labor Government is partnering with Hume Council to deliver a multi-million-dollar pipeline of early childhood infrastructure projects, giving local children access to world-class facilities close to home.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today announced a Building Blocks Partnership, which includes up to $7.45 million invested to support five new and expanded kindergarten projects that will create up to 280 new Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten places across Hume.
The partnership will help deliver two new modular kindergarten rooms at the Aitken Hill Community Centre kindergarten in Craigieburn South through an investment of up to $2 million. Once operational in Term 1 2025, the service will support up to 99 children each day.
With the addition of this Building Blocks partnership with Hume, the Labor Government has now entered Building Blocks partnerships with 12 local councils since 2021 – ensuring families across the state get world-class kinder facilities close to home.
This will deliver 79 new and expanded kindergartens and create up to 9,898 new kinder places across the state.
As our suburbs grow, we’re making sure families have reliable, quality early learning facilities close to home – no matter where they live – with Building Blocks Partnerships providing funding to build, upgrade and expand services to give children the best start to life.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 invests an additional $1.2 billion to build or expand kindergartens across Victoria, supporting the delivery of 15 hours of free Three-Year-Old Kindergarten each week by 2029 and 30 hours of free Pre-Prep each week by 2032.
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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
“Every child deserves a high-quality local kindergarten in which to learn and play. This partnership will deliver hundreds of new kinder places for families in Hume, so more children can get the best start in life.”
“We’re investing in new and upgraded kindergartens now, so more families in Melbourne’s growing northwest can access a great local kinder when and where they need to.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Kalkallo Ros Spence
“I can’t wait to see families in our community benefit from this announcement, with hundreds of new three and four-year-old kindergarten places across Melbourne’s outer north.
“The two new modular kindergarten rooms for Aitken Hill Community Centre, will be welcomed by our growing community.”
Quote attributable to Member for Greenvale Iwan Walters
“We know that high quality early childhood education helps every young person to get the best start in life and the chance to thrive. That’s why the Government’s record investment in new kindergarten spaces will have such a positive impact in growing communities like Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park"
Quote attributable to Mayor of Hume City Cr Naim Kurt
“The Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Program allows Hume City Council to deliver these crucial early years services for young families close to home and at a time when people need it most.”