Additional Kinder places announced for Pascoe Vale as Best Start, Best Life rolls out

The Victorian Government has announced a Building Blocks Partnership with Merri-bek City Council which will create an additional 22 kindergarten places to support the roll out of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. 

Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt today announced a $3.4 million expansion of the Derby Street Children’s Centre last week, which will be backed by a $1.5 million investment from the Government. 

Once completed in Term 1, 2025, the expanded service will provide 75 kindergarten places for local children, giving more families access to early learning close to home. The partnership will also deliver up to 99 further new kindergarten places for local families in Merri-bek through the expansion of Lorne Street Kindergarten in Fawkner, Turner Street Kindergarten in Pascoe Vale South, and the Pascoe Vale Community Centre kindergarten. 

Funding for these projects is provided as part of a $10.7 million contribution from the Labor Government for 11 new and expanded kindergarten services under the Merri-bek Building Blocks Partnership. By 2027, the partnership will deliver up to 329 extra kindergarten places for local families as the community grows, ensuring children have a range of high quality kinders to begin their education journey. 

Learn more about Building Blocks funding here.