New Kinders For Geelong And Melbourne
Children in south Geelong and Melbourne’s south-east will have easier access to kinder than ever before thanks to a $15.8 million investment from the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn this week announced the new Horseshoe Bend Community Hub in Charlemont, and the upgrade to Clyde North West Family and Community Centre will deliver a combined 415 kindergarten places from 2027.
The Horseshoe Bend Community Hub will be built alongside to the future Horseshoe Bend Primary School, creating four kindergarten rooms, an outdoor play space, three maternal and child health rooms, multipurpose community rooms with meeting spaces and carparking.
When it opens in 2027, the new centre will provide 237 local children and families with access to their kinder program – eliminating the dreaded double dropoff and giving more children the chance to attend a quality program close to home.
The Labor Government is investing more than $9 million through the Building Blocks Capacity Building Grants program to enable the City of Greater Geelong to deliver the centre.
The City of Casey will also receive $6.75 million to expand the Clyde North West Family and Community Centre, delivering 178 more kinder places.
Since launching the Building Blocks Capacity grants program in 2020, the Labor Government has invested more than $434 million in 275 projects to plan, build new and upgrade early childhood infrastructure across the state.
The Labor Government’s nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education – helping children thrive, saving families money, and supporting parents and carers to return to work or study if they choose.
The Labor Government is investing billions to build and expand hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting the rollout of 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of pre-prep each week by 2036.
For more information, go to schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/building-blocks-grants-capacity-building.
As stated by Lizzie Blandthorn, Minister for Children
“We’re breaking down the barriers to education and investing in the buildings and tools that kinders need – making sure every child, no matter their circumstances, has a place to start their learning journey with confidence.”
“Every child deserves the best start in life and every family deserves relief from rising costs – our Free Kinder program does both, saving families up to $2,600 per year and improving access to quality education.”
As stated by Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“As Armstrong Creek blossoms with young families, I’m thrilled to see this investment in our community’s future.”
“237 new kinder places right here – that means more local kids getting a fantastic start to their education, right in the heart of our growing neighbourhood. It’s about building a stronger, more connected Armstrong Creek, one child at a time.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-04/250425-New-Kinders-For-Geelong-And-Melbourne.pdf