Building Blocks Capacity Building grant stream to expand, Stitt announces

The Victorian Government will expand its Building Blocks Capacity Building grant stream, delivering more opportunities for the expansion of existing early education facilities and construction of new kindergartens. 

Announced yesterday by Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt, the changes will see grants increased funding for projects completed by June 2026, with funding for expansion projects increasing to $1 million, new early learning facilities increasing to $4 million and integrated children’s centres increasing to $4.5 million. 

As part of the initiative, new grants of up to $150,000 are available for project planning, scoping and design, further supporting the early childhood sector to deliver vital infrastructure ahead of the roll-out of Pre-Prep. 

Along with the increased funding announced, the Government shared information about 12 Victorian kindergartens sharing in almost $2 million in Building Blocks Inclusion grants to upgrade and improve facilities to make their buildings and playgrounds accessible and inclusive for children of all abilities. 

The kindergartens are: 

• Shirley Robertson Children’s Centre, Coburg 

• Renown Kindergarten, South Yarra 

• Beleura Hill Preschool, Mornington 

• Friendship Square Child Care Centre, Cheltenham 

• Robina Scott Kindergarten, Williamstown 

• East West Childcare Association Incorporated, Fitzroy 

• Belgrave Heights Christian School Early Learning Centre, Belgrave Heights 

• Goodstart Early Learning, Bendigo 

• Goodstart Early Learning, Langwarrin 

• Goodstart Early Learning, New Gisborne 

• Goodstart Early Learning, Eltham 

• Goodstart Early Learning, Epping. 

New rounds of Building Blocks Inclusion grants providing between $10,000 and $200,000 for inclusive equipment and building and playground upgrades, along with Building Blocks Planning grants, which provide up to $150,000 for planning and pre-construction work on infrastructure projects, are now open. For more information or to apply, please see here.