Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP has announced further funding for South Castlemaine Kindergarten, to delivering a modern early learning facility for families in Castlemaine.

$2.35 million has been allocated to the project, which will build a 1-room modular kindergarten building (compact design) to expand the existing service and associated play space.

The grant is one of six services which will receive over $22.8 million to create 608 new kinder places through the Labor Government’s Building Blocks Capacity Grants, ensuring that more families with young children have access to up-to-date kinder services closer to home.

This builds on the Allan Labor Government’s announcement in June of $699,807 for the service, for a project to provide an accessible toilet and entrance with ramp, a larger office and meeting room, larger foyer and new storeroom.

“This grant means that more young children in Castlemaine will have more kindergarten places and more modern facilities close to home, setting our youngest learners up for the best start to life,” Ms Edwards said.

“I commend the kindergarten and Mount Alexander Shire Council for their advocacy for this upgrade, and I look forward to seeing it delivered.”

Since Building Blocks was launched in 2020, the Labor Government has invested more than $235 million in planning, building and upgrading early childhood services across the state.

The nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents to return to work or study.

For more information, go to: schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/building-blocks-grants-capacity-building.