Moriac Pre-School One Step Closer Thanks to Government Planning Grant

Late last month, the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, the Hon. Ingrid Stitt MP, announced the 19 recipients of the Building Blocks Planning Grants.

The Building Blocks Planning Grants enable local kindergarten services and their councils to share in $2.5 million, with each receiving up to $150,000 for planning, design and pre-construction work on kindergarten building projects.

Local service provider, Moriac Pre-School and the Surf Coast Shire have been awarded $40,000 under the Building Blocks Planning grant.

Planning funding supports a wide range of essential pre-construction activities like project management, architecture and design planning, soil testing, environmental sustainability assessments and feasibility studies.

Helping prepare for and construct new Early Childhood infrastructure is a key part of the Labor Government’s rollout of free three- and four-year-old kinder in local areas state-wide to ensure all Victorian children get the best start to life.

Through our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Labor Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents – especially women – to return to work or study if they choose.

The Victorian Budget 2023/24 has made it easier for local councils and kindergarten service providers to apply for grants in the Building Blocks Capacity Building and Planning streams, so they can better plan for and meet the demand for kindergarten as Victoria grows.

Applications for Building Blocks Planning grants of up to $150,000 are now accepted year-round – making it quicker and easier for eligible organisations to apply for funding that supports planning for new and expanded kinders.

The Building Blocks grants program also offers significantly increased Capacity Building grants of up to $4.5 million for new integrated children’s centres, $4 million for new early learning centres and $1 million for expansion projects – helping to build the new and expanded kinders Victoria’s littlest learners need, right across the state.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt

“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services across Victoria to expand access to early education and help our children learn, grow and thrive.”

Quotes attributable to Member for South Barwon, Darren Cheeseman MP

“Congratulations to Moriac Pre-School for receiving this fantastic grant. The Building Blocks Planning grant will provide great benefit to the kindergarten and our youngest Victorians.”

“The Building Blocks Planning grant is part of the Andrews Labor Government ‘Best Start, Best Life’ reforms. Ensuring that our littlest Victorians get the best start.”

Quotes attributable to Surf Coast Shire Councillor Heather Wellington

“This Victorian Government Building Blocks grant will provide a great boost for the dedicated pre-school community, enabling important planning for modest expansion and refurbishment.”