Increased funding is available to eligible providers to support projects that create extra kindergarten places for 3- and 4-year-olds by building new or expanding existing infrastructure.
Through the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks program, funding applications are open for 3 streams:
Under the program, local governments, community and non-government school providers are eligible to apply under 4 grant categories. The increased funding amounts for each type of project are:
- Expansion: $1.5 million (based on 33 approved places)
- New Early Learning Facility: $4 million (based on 66 approved places)
- Modular Kindergarten Buildings
- Integrated Children's Centre: $4.5 million (based on 66 approved places).
Grant funding amounts are scalable based on the number of approved kindergarten places that the project creates. The funding increases apply to projects scheduled for completion by June 2026.
Closing dates for individual grant streams are outlined below.
Capacity grants
Applications for Capacity building grants are open year-round and assessed in batches throughout the year. For more information on these grants, including details on how to apply, refer to Capacity building grants.
Grants from this stream have been funding innovative projects such as the Mornington Intergenerational Learning Centre. Opening its doors in January 2023, the Mornington centre is one of the first in Victoria to offer intergenerational care for some of the state’s youngest and oldest Victorians, all under the one roof.
The centre offers 66 approved places, helping meet demand for 3-and 4-year-old kindergarten in the Mornington area, while delivering a unique curriculum that engages its aged care facility residents to participate in early learning activities and experiences.
Planning grants
The Planning stream offers funding for planning and pre-construction work on kindergarten building projects that support the roll-out of 3- and 4-year-old kindergarten across Victoria.
This might include designing, developing the scope or calculating construction costs of the project.
This grant is for applicants who will be applying for a Building Blocks Capacity building grant once planning is complete.
Applications for Planning grants close on Sunday 7 May 2023. For more information on these grants, including details on how to apply, refer to Planning grants.
Inclusion grants
The Inclusion stream offers funding for inclusive infrastructure and equipment, offering 2 categories:
- Buildings and playgrounds: grants of up to $200,000 for infrastructure upgrades to make kindergarten activities safer, more inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities.
- Equipment: grants of up to $10,000 for moveable inclusive education equipment, such as mobility stools and sensory equipment for kindergarten programs.
Applications for Inclusion grants close on Friday 19 May 2023. For more information on these grants, including details on how to apply, refer to Inclusion grants.
About Building Blocks
Since launching in 2019, Building Blocks has provided more than $190 million to plan, build new and improve early childhood services in Victoria, supporting the sector to create additional kindergarten places across the state.
The Building Blocks grant program is an integral part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms, and is critical to ensuring universal access to increased hours of Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is delivered across Victoria over the next 10 years.
Find out more
For enquiries about Building Blocks grants, contact the Victorian School Building Authority’s Early Childhood Grants team by email: building.blocks@education.vic.gov.au
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