The Victorian Government is expanding access to early childhood education with hundreds of new kindergarten places to be created across the state by 2028.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced that four new kindergarten projects will deliver up to 534 additional places at Coburg North Primary School, Mickleham Primary School, Wiyal Primary School in Frasers Rise, and Yarram Primary School.
The expansion is part of the Government’s broader plan to ensure that every new primary school built since 2021 includes a kindergarten on-site or next door. The initiative aims to make early learning easier for families, while encouraging a smoother transition for children from kinder to school.
More than 145,000 children and their families are already benefiting from the Free Kinder program, which saves parents up to $2,600 per child each year. The program is now available at 97 per cent of kindergarten services across Victoria.
The expansion forms part of the Victoria’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, which are reshaping early childhood education to improve access and affordability. The program also supports parents and carers who wish to return to work or study, helping balance family and career commitments.
Further investment is being made to build and expand hundreds of kindergartens across the state. The goal is to deliver 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten per week by 2029, and up to 30 hours of Pre-Prep each week by 2036.
“This is about investing in children, families and communities—because every Victorian child deserves the best start to life,” Minister Blandthorn said.
“Building new kinders where families need them most, close to schools, homes and in communities right across Victoria, is vital in our growing state.”
“Through Free Kinder we’re backing families with real cost-of-living relief—saving families thousands of dollars each year per child.”
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