Wednesday 5 February 2025
The Allan Labor Government is making kindergartens more inclusive and accessible for all children – with more than 400 services sharing in $9 million to upgrade facilities and buy specialist equipment.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced the recipients of the 2024-25 Building Blocks Inclusion Grants program which delivers critical funding for upgrades and equipment to help Victorian kids reach their full potential.
Grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded to four services across Northern Victoria to deliver upgrades to amenities – making early learning activities safer, more inclusive and accessible.
These are:
- Goodstart Early Learning Centre in Euroa
- Goodstart Early Learning Centre in Mildura (Eleventh Street)
- Woori Yallock Kindergarten
- Yarra Ranges Kindergarten
Another 22 services across Sunraysia will receive up to $10,000 in funding to buy moveable and accessible equipment, such as mobility tools, adjustable furniture and sensory equipment.
These are:
- Save the Children Kindergarten – Mooroopna
- Tatura Children’s Centre
- Mooroopna Primary School and Children and Families Centre
- Goodstart Early Learning – Seymour
- Kyabram Community and Learning Centre Inc
- Wangaratta West Kindergarten
- Whitfield Community Childcare and Kindergarten
- Beechworth Early Years Learning
- James Tilson Kindergarten
- Wodonga Institute of TAFE – Kids on Campus
- The Hub Kindergarten – North East Regional Preschool Association
- Good Start Early Learning Mildura – Matthew Flinders Drive, Mildura
- Nangiloc and District Kindergarten
- Murrayville Early Learning Centre
- Shine Bright St Margarets Kindergarten, Mildura
- Red Cliffs Kindergarten
- Mansfield Community Cubby House
- Jamieson Court Kindergarten
- Mansfield Steiner School and Kindergarten
- Haig Ave Preschool in Healesville
- Yarra Glen Preschool Association
- Hurstbridge Children’s Centre
Funding is designed for projects that help children engage in activities, build skills, and ensure early learning is inclusive for all abilities.
Since the Labor Government launched the Building Blocks program in 2020, it has delivered more than $235 million to plan, build and improve early childhood services across Victoria.
It’s all part of Victoria’s nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, which are transforming early childhood education, saving families money and supporting parents and carers to return to work or study if they choose.
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“I’m proud to see services in Northern Victoria benefit from this vital funding, creating spaces where every child feels included and empowered to reach their full potential.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
“Every child deserves to actively participate at kindergarten, no matter their ability – these grants will make sure kinders have the inclusive facilities and equipment they need to support all children to grow, learn and play.”
“We’re supporting the diverse needs of Victoria’s children by making hundreds of kindergartens safer, more engaging and inclusive, so all children can grow and thrive from the best start in life.”
