50 early learning centres for Victoria

The Victorian Government has committed $14 billion to expand kindergarten programs across the state and give children the best start to life.

As part of this major initiative we're building 50 new early learning centres across Victoria.

These government-owned and government-run centres will be built in areas where they are needed most. They will offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and then eventually transition to include Pre-Prep. In some cases, they may be co-located with services like maternal and child health services and playgroups. We’ll work with local government and the community to plan each centre.

Where possible, we’ll locate the centres at, or alongside, schools, hospitals, TAFEs and other major employers to make childcare accessible and convenient for working parents and carers.

Where will these new government-owned and run early learning centres be located?

We’re building the 50 centres in communities that have the greatest need for more childcare and kindergarten places. The first 4 centres will be co-located at, or next to, schools, to help ditch the double drop-off. They will open in 2025.

Confirmed 2025 locations:

• Eaglehawk North Primary School Early Learning Centre (interim name)
• Moomba Park Primary School Early Learning Centre (interim name)
• Murtoa College Early Learning Centre (interim name)
• Sunshine Primary School Early Learning Centre (interim name)

Government-owned and government-run early learning centres have also been confirmed for the following locations:

• Creswick-Clunes
• Dandenong
• Foster
• Frankston North
• Glenroy
• Golden Plains
• Hallam
• Hampton Park-Lynbrook
• Heidelberg West
• Kings Park
• Lalor
• Loddon
• Maryborough
• Melton South
• Mildura
• Noble Park East
• Numurkah
• Portarlington
• Portland
• Reservoir
• Rochester
• Rockbank-Mount Cottrell
• Seymour
• Shepparton
• Werribee
• Yallourn North-Glengarry

Watch this page for more announcements, including information about the remaining 20 sites.

Frequently asked questions

How do I join the waitlist?

Waitlist, registration and enrolment details will be released in the future.

The Victorian Department of Education will provide further information to local council, schools and through community networks of each of the four centres.

Families and interested local community members are encouraged to register their details to receive regular updates on the new early learning centre.

If you require immediate assistance identifying a convenient childcare centre, you can use online services such as Starting Blocks.

Starting Blocks includes:

• information about a service’s quality rating
• information about a service’s availability and costs
• useful tips for parents and carers.

Councils often include a list of childcare services within their local government area on their website.

It’s also common to reach out to family and friends for advice, find parents groups in your area, or use social media.

If you require access to a kindergarten program before 2025 for your child, visit vic.gov.au/kinder and use the Find A Kinder Program interactive map for kindergarten programs in your area.

How do I enrol my child?

Enrolments for Early Learning Centres are not open yet. Further details including information on waitlist options will be published in the future.

Families are encouraged to register their details to receive regular updates on the new early learning centre, including when waitlists and enrolments open.

When it is time to enrol, you will need to provide the following information:

• child’s name and address and details of any special needs
• information about yourself and any other parents, carers or guardians
• details of the people who can pick up your child
• child’s birth certificate of other identity documents
• details of any parenting orders or legal matters to do with the care or safety of your child
• your child’s medical health and immunisation status.

How do I find out further information about fees and access to services?

The new early learning centres will provide more families with access to affordable early childhood education and care. This includes delivering Free Kinder for three- and four-year-old children.

Information regarding Early Learning Centre fees will be published closer to enrolments opening.

Families and interested local community members are encouraged to register their details to receive regular updates on the new early learning centre.

To find out more generally about how much childcare may cost, you can also check Starting Block’s fee estimator.

To find out more about financial support available visit the Federal Government’s website Accessing child care.

How will access be prioritised?

Further details including information on priority of access will be published once enrolments are open.