OVER $1.9M TO IMPROVE AND REFURBISH KINDERGARTENS IN MACEDON
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 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 a total of sixteen kindergartens in the Macedon electorate including up to $750,000 for larger projects and $150,000 for smaller ones, to upgrade buildings and outdoor areas.
Recipients in Macedon include:
• Goodstart Early Learning Kyneton - $694,949 – for indoor and outdoor refurbishment
• Macedon Kindergarten - $487, 012 – for relocation of children’s toilet and bathroom areas
• Goodstart Early Learning Woodend - $673,093 - for indoor and outdoor refurbishment
• Romsey Kindergarten - $116,720 – for all-weather outdoor play space
• Daylesford Community Childcare Centre - $1747 – for shade sail replacements
IT Equipment grants for ipads, laptops, computational thinking aids, LDC IT experiences, projectors and cameras were awarded to the following Macedon early learning facilities:
• Daylesford Community Child Care Centre
• Daylesford Preschool
• Rothschild Road Kindergarten
• Hepburn Kindergarten
• Goodstart Early Learning Kyneton
• Global Village Learning, Gisborne
• Goodstart Early Learning New Gisborne
• Goodstart Early Learning Riddells Creek
• Trentham Early Learning
• Goodstart Early Learning Woodend
An investment of $1.3 million will also deliver eight projects statewide 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 Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
“Every child deserves a safe and inviting learning environment, that’s why the Government continues to invest in local kindergartens.”
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.”
