Kindergarten Expansion Projects
The Victorian Government has committed to completing the rollout of three-year-old kindergarten (up to 15 hours of funded kindergarten) for all children by 2029. With the introduction of three-year-old kindergarten in addition to four-year-old kindergarten, all Victorian children will have access to two years of funded kindergarten.
To meet the rollout, the Victorian Government has committed significant capital investment to increase capacity for kindergarten provision across the state.
Council is working with the Victorian Government on the delivery of a number of kindergarten expansion and redevelopment projects to meet future projected demand.
To find out more about the Best Start, Best Life reforms, which has since introduced free 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten programs from 2023 and transitioning four-year-old kindergarten to ‘Pre-Prep’ (a universal, 30-hour a week program of play-based learning by 2032), visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/best-start-best-life-reforms
Altona North Children’s Centre Expansion 2022-2023
In partnership with the State Government, we are expanding the existing Altona North Children’s Centre, to increase its licensed capacity to accommodate an additional 36 children. This will be achieved by extending one of the existing children’s rooms and adding a new room to the south building. Both the south and north buildings will become linked through these works.
Construction began in September 2022 with completion expected in December 2023.
For more details on the project, the current Project Manager, Ena Ninkovic, can be contacted on 1300 179 944 or email projects@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Please see below information sheet for families:
Altona North Childcare Centre Expansion - Flyer
Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare Redevelopment 2023
The Victorian Government and Hobsons Bay City Council will be investing in a new contemporary facility at the Emma McLean Daycare Centre site to ensure there are sufficient kindergarten places for local families now and into the future. A review of data and growth projections has indicated that Spotswood is expected to have a significant shortage of kindergarten places if no future planning and development of early years facilities is undertaken to meet the growing community needs.
The pre-existing building has been demolished and a new three-room modular kindergarten to accommodate 88 children is being constructed. It is anticipated these works will be completed by January 2024.
During this time Emma McLean Kindergarten have relocated to an alternative site for the duration of works.
For further details on the redevelopment, please contact Sarah Marshall, Senior Project Manager on 0400 728 889 or email smarshall@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
Emma McLean Redevelopment - Flyer(PDF, 214KB)
Seaholme Kindergarten Redevelopment
The Victorian Government and Hobsons Bay City Council will be investing in a new contemporary facility at the Seaholme Kindergarten site to ensure there are sufficient kindergarten places for local families now and into the future.
The pre-exisiting one-room kindergarten building has been demolished and a new two-room modular kindergarten to accommodate 66 children is being constructed. The existing outdoor play area will also be increased to accommodate the additional 33 places as part of the redevelopment.
Works commenced late September 2023 and are expected to be complete in January 2024.
During this time, children and staff have relocated to another licensed children’s facility in Altona, managed by Early Childhood Management Services and will continue to provide the highest education and care program the service currently provides.
For further details on the redevelopment, please contact Sarah Marshall, Senior Project Manager on 0400 728 889 or email smarshall@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au