First of Victoria’s government-owned and operated childcare centres opens

The first four government-owned and operated childcare centres in Victoria have opened their doors ready for a new academic year. 

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn joined children, families and staff at Moomba Park Primary School in Fawkner earlier this week to acknowledge this important milestone, and to officially open Early Learning Victoria Wimbi. 

The brand-new centre has space for up to 130 local children each day, offering long day care as well as three and four-year-old kindergarten programs. 

Another three Early Learning Victoria centres – at Sunshine Primary School, Murtoa College and Eaglehawk North Primary School – have also opened their doors for this year, with more than 400 children across the four sites being the first to benefit from the 50 new centres. 

All the centres will be in areas that need extra early learning places the most and where there are higher rates of disadvantage. The centres are low fee, making childcare (sic.) more affordable and helping parents to return to work, while also offering Free Kinder. 

The centres are also located on local school sites, with space for other supports like maternal and child health, playgroups, and indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support and encourage learning through play. 

From next year, 18 Early Learning Victoria locations will deliver more than 1,800 licensed places for local children and families as part of the $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms to improve access to early childhood education and care. 

Interested families can tour Early Learning Victoria centres to learn more about the centre and the programs offered. To find out more visit earlylearning.vic.gov.au/enrol