19 more kinders for Victoria with new round of Building Blocks Planning Grants

15 Victorian local councils and kindergarten service providers will share in $2.5 million of Building Blocks Planning grants of up to $150,000 each, Victoria’s Minister for Early Childhood and Pre Prep, Ingrid Stitt has announced. 

The grants can be used for planning, design and pre-construction work on kindergarten building projects. Goodstart Early Learning, Newhaven College, San Remo Pre-School, Yarralea Children’s Centre and Yavneh College are the providers that were successful in this round, while the cities of Boroondara, Darebin, Monash, Greater Shepparton and Warrnambool together with Baw Baw, Murrindindi, South Gippsland, Surf Coast and Wellington have been awarded funding for pre-construction works. 

Activities such as project management, architecture and design planning, soil testing, environmental sustainability assessments and feasibility studies all fall into the preconstruction space. Applications for Building Blocks Planning grants of up to $150,000 are now accepted year-round, making it quicker and easier for eligible organisations to apply for funding that supports planning for new and expanded kinders. 

The Building Blocks grants program also offers significantly increased Capacity Building grants of up to $4.5 million for new integrated children’s centres, $4 million for new early learning centres and $1 million for expansion projects. 

“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services across Victoria to expand access to early education and help our children learn, grow and thrive,” Ms Stitt said.

“These grants will help eligible organisations plan projects that increase access to kindergarten for local families – providing the funding needed to help get these projects off the ground.”

Learn more about the Building Blocks grant stream here.