More Kinder places for Darebin

More three year old and four year old kinder places are on the way for the Victorian community of Darebin thanks to a new Building Blocks Partnership with the City of Darebin.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn recently announced the funding of more than $2.4 million to support the delivery of two kindergarten projects in the Darebin local government area that will create up to 97 new kindergarten places for local families.

The first of the projects to get underway will increase capacity at Merri Community Childcare & Kindergarten.

Darebin City Council is leading the project, which will extend the centre’s Three-Year-Old Kindergarten room and allow more children to attend the early learning program. Building work has commenced and will finish later in 2024. 

With the addition of the City of Darebin partnership, the Government has now entered 16 Building Blocks partnerships since 2021. Across the state, that means 101 new and expanded kindergartens and up to 13,385 new kinder places when and where they’re needed most. 

“We are excited to be working in partnership with the Victorian Government and investing in kindergarten programs and facilities in Darebin,” City of Darebin Mayor, Councillor Susanne Newton said. 

“Having the right support available at the beginning of a child’s life is crucial to their development, wellbeing and overall health and as the mum of a 19-month-old myself, I know exactly how important these services are!”

Learn more about Building Blocks Partnerships here.