Victorian Minister announces 11 recipients of Innovation Grants Program

Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced the 11 recipients of the Innovation Grants Program recently, all of whom will share in $580,000 to run programs aimed at building a more experienced early education workforce and improving retention.

Eureka Community Kindergarten Association is one of the recipients, where 29 services will join in an Early Career Growth Program, completing four-week rotations with a mentor where staff can connect with early-career educators at other sites for career guidance, professional development and wellbeing resources online. 

Fellow recipients Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC), Shine Bright EYM and Bendigo TAFE will offer Aboriginal Victorians a culturally safe and supportive pathway to work in the field. Trainees will start their career at BDAC Kindergarten and move to a Shine Bright service, receiving support along the way. 

“Helping the educators that work with our children during some of their most pivotal years will mean better outcomes for kids, keeping our workforce strong as demand across Victoria grows,” the Minister said.

Westcare, who are also 2025 grant recipients, will lead a group of providers giving up to 35 teachers and educators in Ararat access to short courses covering mental health and wellbeing, adaptability and teamwork. Career development and leadership are key pillars of the courses, with backfill support helping staff attend. 

Latrobe City Council will launch an onboarding and career-development program across 25 services, supported by mentoring partnerships. Early-career teachers and educators will benefit from regular professional development workshops, peer collaboration, observation and feedback sessions, and wellbeing support. 

Other projects include opportunities for early childhood teachers to contribute to improving operations in their service, and training to equip educators with evidence-based strategies to support children with additional needs. 

The full list of 2024–25 Innovation Grants Program recipients is as follows:  

• Eureka Community Kindergarten Association Inc. 
• Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative Inc. with Shine Bright EYM and Bendigo TAFE 
• Alpine Children’s Services Ltd 
• Corangamite Shire Council 
• Westcare Pty Ltd with J C Corp Pty Ltd, Ararat Early Learning, Young Men’s Christian Association of Ballarat Inc., Ararat Rural City Council and Federation University Australia 
• Greater Bendigo City Council 
• Lilydale Community Child Care Inc. 
• Children’s Protection Society Inc. 
• Horsham and District Kindergarten Association Inc. 
• Latrobe City Council 
• The Lady Gowrie Child Centre (Melbourne) Inc.

The Innovation Grants Program is part of a suite of free professional learning and career supports available to early childhood professionals. To find out more about the Innovation Grants projects, visit vic.gov.au/innovation-grants-program. Information on training and career support is available from vic.gov.au/training.