In partnership with Sandhurst Catholic Early Childhood Education and Care, new modular kinders at four Catholic schools in regional Victoria will provide more than 472 low-fee places.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Victorian Department of Education for its generosity,” St Anne’s College principal Anthony Butts said.
“This funding announcement comes after we introduced a full cohort of Foundation to Year 12 this year after opening with two year levels in 2019.”
Victorian Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn announced up to $14.62 million for the new Building Blocks Partnership, which will deliver the new kinders, all co-located with Catholic primary schools.
North Bendigo, Huntly and Baranduda (in Wodonga) will also get new Catholic kinders opening between 2027 and 2029.
Each centre will support three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs, with facilities designed to meet the needs of growing communities.
The partnership brings the total number of Building Blocks Partnerships to 20, including 17 with local councils and three with non-government school organisations, delivering 117 new and expanded kindergartens for Victorians.
More than 145,000 families are saving up to $2600 per child each year through Free Kinder, which is available at 97 per cent of funded kindergartens across the state.
The government is building and expanding hundreds of kindergartens across Victoria to support the delivery of 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten by 2029 and up to 30 hours of pre-school by 2036.
“This is about delivering better education for children and reducing stress for parents, creating more time for what matters — work, study or time with family,” Ms Blandthorn said.
The two kindergarten rooms at St Anne’s College will open in 2029.
“We are very excited for what the future holds, when we will also be able to offer kindergarten learning facilities, meaning St Anne’s College caters for all stages of a child’s education journey,” Mr Butts said.
