Victoria announces new ECEC services to open in 2026

The Victorian Government has announced that it will bring an additional four early learning and childcare (ELCC) services to the list of those due to open in 2026, adding to the ten sites already scheduled for delivery. 

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Broadmeadows Kathleen Matthews-Ward visited Moomba Park Primary School in Fawkner late last week to reveal the locations for the four new sites. 

Three of the additional centres will be located at new schools including Mickleham South Primary School, Toolern Waters Primary School and Wollert Andrews Road Primary School (interim names), with the fourth to be built next to Teesdale Primary School on recently acquired land. 

These additional ELCCs will provide more than 450 places for children up to five years of age– including both childcare (sic.) and Three-and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten services. 

Each centre will help meet local demand for early learning in places with a shortage of early learning facilities. They will feature dedicated community space for programs and services like maternal and child health, allied health, playgroups or other child and family services. 

The Victorian Government has also announced the architects appointed to work on the projects. 

Brand Architects have been selected to design the centres at Toolern Waters and Teesdale Primary schools, while Architectus will design the facilities at Mickleham South and Wollert Andrews Road Primary schools. 

“Victoria’s first 18 early learning and childcare centres will be conveniently located at government schools, and I’m excited about the opportunities these facilities will bring for local children, local schools and their communities,” Ms Blandthorn said.