NEW MODULAR KINDER FOR MICKLEHAM

The Andrews Labor Government is repairing, expanding and building new kinders so every child can access Three-Year-Old kinder as the ground-breaking program rolls out across the state.

Member for Yuroke Ros Spence today announced that a new two-room modular kindergarten will be provided for the soon-to-be-built community centre in Mickleham, thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Andrews Labor Government, and in partnership with Hume City Council.

This new centre will create 132 new kinder places, and is estimated to be complete by early 2021, ahead of the state-wide roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kinder in 2022.

This project is part of 13 projects across Victoria that Minister for Education James Merlino announced will share in more than $13.8 million in first round of grants under the Building Blocks program.

The funding will deliver an integrated children’s centre, three new early learning facilities, two modular buildings, and seven kindergarten expansions across Mitchell Shire, Corangamite Shire and Wodonga City Council.

Together the projects will create new kinder places, as well as boosting local jobs and local businesses as these areas rebuild from the economic impacts of coronavirus.

The Building Blocks program creates additional places – well as improving facilities and access to technology – for Three and Four-Year-old Kinder providers across Victoria.

Grants are available to local governments and not-for-profit organisations delivering a funded kindergarten program.

This is part of the Labor Government’s $5 billion investment in funded universal Three-Year-Old Kinder for all Victorian children – in an Australian-first.

The reform has started in six regional local government areas in 2020, with families in a further 15 regional LGAs – including East Gippsland – to benefit in 2021.

As part of the roll-out, the Government is upgrading infrastructure through a $1.68 billion co-investment with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergarten facilities across the state.

Applications for the Building Blocks capacity building stream are open year-round. To apply, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/buildingblocks.