Victorian families in Melbourne’s southeast are set to benefit from more Free Kinder places, thanks to a new partnership between the Victorian government and Cardinia Shire Council. The initiative, part of the government’s Building Blocks program, aims to expand access to early childhood education while easing cost-of-living pressures for families.
On February 27, Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale visited Lang Lang Preschool to announce the first project under the partnership. The $3 million investment will fund a new two-room kindergarten on Oxford Street, replacing the outdated facility on Whitstable Street. The new center will feature an outdoor play area and off-street parking, providing 64 additional kinder places for local families.
The existing single-room kindergarten, which has reached the end of its useful life, will be relocated to the new facility. The Maternal Child Health service, currently operating from a separate location, will also move to the new site.
“Our focus is not just on creating great learning spaces for children but also on reducing the financial burden on families,” said Minister Blandthorn.
The Victorian government’s Free Kinder program is already saving families up to $2,600 per child annually. Three-year-olds now receive at least five hours of free kinder per week, with this set to increase to 15 hours by 2029. From 2025, four-year-old kindergarten will transition to ‘Pre-Prep,’ offering 30 hours of play-based learning each week.
These changes are part of the state’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, which aim to transform early childhood education, support children’s development, and help parents return to work or study if they choose.
In addition to expanding kinder access, the government is providing free Kinder Kits to every child starting three-year-old kindergarten. These kits include toys, craft materials, and books by Australian authors and illustrators, designed to spark creativity and a love for learning.
“The Kinder Kits ensure every child, regardless of their background, has access to engaging educational tools,” said Minister Blandthorn. Since 2022, over 227,000 families have received the kits, which can be used at home, in the park, or during visits with friends and family.
With rising living costs, many families face difficult financial decisions. The Victorian government’s investment in Free Kinder and Kinder Kits aims to ease these pressures, ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life.
This initiative not only supports early learning but also sets children up for a lifetime of success, while giving families one less thing to worry about.
