The Andrews Labor Government is giving more Victorian families access to affordable, high quality and convenient kinder and childcare – with the first of 50 new government-owned and operated childcare centres one step closer to opening.
In 2025, children and families in Sunshine will be some of the first in the state to get their own centre through the program – delivering tailored, world-class early education to our littlest learners while saving time and money for hardworking local families.
Sarah Connolly MP today announced the services included in the centre in Brimbank City Council as well as the designers of the new facilities, which will be located at Sunshine Primary School to help ditch the double drop-off.
The service will offer childcare, Three- and Four-year-old kindergarten for more than 130 children each day – plus spaces for Maternal and Child Health and Allied Health – giving children and families a reliable hub for the services they need close to home.
Brand Architects of East Melbourne has been appointed to design the facilities, which will give the youngest Victorians a space to learn, explore and thrive during their early years.
The other new centres opening in 2025 will be located at Moomba Park Primary School in Fawkner, Eaglehawk North Primary School near Bendigo and Murtoa College in Victoria’s west.
Thirty of the 50 locations have already been announced, with the final 20 to be confirmed by the end of this year, and all 50 centres be delivered by 2028.
To ensure the centres are delivered in communities with the greatest need, all locations identified consider the availability of childcare in the local area, likely future demand and socio-economic measures.
The Labor Government has invested $14 billion as part of the nation-leading Best Start, Best Life reforms. These are expanding kindergarten programs across the state – including making kinder free and giving more families access to local and affordable early childhood education and care for the best start in life for children.
To find out more about the new ELCs, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/50-early-learning-centres-victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
“We’re stepping in to deliver unprecedented investment in early childhood education to help our littlest Victorians and their families access quality early education and care – when and where it’s needed most.”
“These centres are the first of our 50 government-owned and operated services, which will combine quality kinder programs with much needed childcare and family services to give more children a great local early learning experience.”
Quote attributable to Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly
“A great education starts early, and these new facilities are about making a great education accessible to all of our littlest learners.”
