- Who can apply:
- Not-for-profit groups, government
- Status:
- Closed
- Funding:
- $0 - $750,000
Applications for Information Technology Grants closed on 30 July.
Applications for Early Learning Facility Upgrades and Minor Improvement Grants closed on 3 September.
The Building Blocks Improvement stream offers grants to help kindergartens refurbish or renovate early childhood buildings and facilities, and purchase information technology to assist the delivery of educational programs and service administration.
Projects must be for a kindergarten in Victoria that is, or will be, licensed to provide a funded Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program for four years from project completion. The kindergarten must offer, or intend to offer, both programs. This can be sessional or integrated with long day care.
Categories of grants
- Early Learning Facility Upgrades: This category provides funding up to $750,000 for renovating or refurbishing facilities to improve the quality of learning environments for kindergarten children.
- Minor Improvement: These are 'minor grants' up to $150,000 for small renovations and refurbishments to early learning facilities.
- Information Technology: These are grants of up to $2,000 for purchasing IT equipment or televisions for administration or learning programs.
Building Blocks Grants replaces previous grants schemes – the Children's Facilities Capital Program and the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program.
Featured projects
Take a look at some of our completed Building Blocks Improvement grant projects:
Early childhood updates
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Guidelines
The Victorian Government is delivering an unprecedented early childhood reform agenda.
In June 2022, the Best Start, Best Life reform was announced. A key component of this reform, which will commence from 2025, includes increasing hours for Pre-Prep (Four-Year-Old Kindergarten) from 15 to 30 hours by 2032. This means that over the next decade, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will increase to a universal 30-hour a week program of play-based learning for four-year-old children across Victoria.
The Best Start, Best Life reform builds on the Victorian Government’s commitment of $1.68 billion, announced in 2018, to support the delivery of increased kindergarten hours and the expansion of infrastructure required for the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten reform.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is already rolling out across the state, expanding universal access to 15 hours of government-funded kinder every week. Three-Year-Old Kindergarten programs are gradually increasing, reaching 15 hours per week across Victoria by 2029. Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will transition to Pre-Prep in stages from 2025. From 2032 all children across Victoria will be eligible for 30 hours of Pre-Prep each week.
To support these major reforms the Victorian Government is expanding kindergarten infrastructure. It has committed to introduce the Best Start, Best Life reform over the coming decade and to co-invest with the early childhood sector to build and expand kindergartens across the state. The Building Blocks grant program is an integral part of that commitment and is critical to ensuring universal access to increased hours of Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten across Victoria over the next 10 years.
There are three categories of grants under the Building Blocks Improvement stream:
- Early Learning Facility Upgrade
- Minor Improvements
- Information Technology
Early Learning Facility Upgrade grant
Purpose
Early Learning Facility Upgrade grants can be used by existing eligible early years facilities offering a funded three and four-year-old program to upgrade or renovate facilities.
Funding available
Up to $750,000 per grant (GST exclusive)
Note: applications require 2 quotes from a qualified professional for projects less than $200,000 OR 1 Quantity Surveyor report for projects over $200,000 or more
Co-contribution
Grants over $150,000 require a co-contribution.
Project completion/acquittal
Within 12 months of executing a Common Funding Agreement (CFA) with the Department.
Payment of grants
Payments are provided in four milestone payments.
Minor Improvements grant
Purpose
Minor Improvement grants can be used by existing eligible early years facilities offering a funded three and four-year-old program to upgrade or renovate facilities.
Funding available
Up to $150,000 per grant (GST exclusive)
Note: applications require 2 quotes from a qualified professional for projects less than $200,000 OR 1 Quantity Surveyor report for projects over $200,000 or more.
Co-contribution
Grants of $150,000 or less do not require a co-contribution.
Project completion/acquittal
Within 12 months of executing a Common Funding Agreement (CFA) with the Department.
Payment of grants
Payments are provided in two milestone payments.
Information Technology grant
Purpose
Information Technology grants support the purchase of desktop, laptop or tablet computers and televisions for use in the delivery of educational programs or service administration.
A provider can apply for up to 5 IT applications for services on one form and larger service providers can apply for up to 20 IT applications on one form. Noting each service is eligible for one IT grant only.
Funding available
Up to $2,000 per grant (GST exclusive)
Co-contribution
Applicants do not have to co-contribute.
Project completion/acquittal
Within 6 months of executing a Common Funding Agreement (CFA) with the Department.
Payment of grants
Payments are provided in one up front instalment. Funding agreements must be signed and submitted by an authorised officer of the organisation no later than 4 weeks after receipt.
Early Learning Facility Upgrades & Minor Improvements
What can be funded What cannot be funded - project management costs
- planning and design costs, including soil hygienist reports
- site preparation, including clearing or demolition (if the project will be on land owned by the Department, please contact the VSBA before applying to confirm how these costs can be funded)
- construction and commissioning
- landscaping and car parking
- fixed fittings and fixed equipment
- removal of contaminates on project sites (e.g., asbestos/ arsenic), pending it is within scope of the State’s financial contribution and included at application stage
- routine or cyclical maintenance works
- upgrades that do not increase capacity.
- site acquisition and lease costs
- purchase of cars, buses and other vehicles
- ongoing administration or operational costs
- staff salaries and training
- toys, portable equipment, and consumables
- removal of contaminates on project sites (e.g., asbestos/ arsenic), following announcement of the grant
- additional funding due to project cost overruns
Information technology
What can be funded What cannot be funded - desktop computers
- laptop computers
- tablet computers
- televisions
- accessories* which may include:
- cables and adaptors
- consumables (e.g., data charges for tablets)
- headphones
- devices for streaming content to a television being purchased through the grant
- data projectors and projector screens
- digital cameras
- docking stations
- keyboards and mice
- modems, routers or access points for Wi-Fi or cabled networking
- printers, photocopiers and multi-function devices
- protective cases and laptop bags
- software and apps (including cards for online app stores)
- wall brackets for TVs
- transport, installation and training required for specific new equipment.
- applications solely for software
- applications for software training
- mobile phones
- bee-bots
- leased equipment (e.g., printers)
*Funding for accessories may be requested so long as most of the proposed purchase is for desktop, laptop or tablet computers and/or televisions and the accessory relates to the major purchase and is for use as part of the learning program or for administrative use.
The Building Blocks Improvement stream will not fund projects that:
- are not at facilities which offer (or are intending to offer) both Three- and Four-Year-Old funded Kindergarten programs;
- are located outside Victoria;
- do not align with the program objectives;
- do not meet the requirements outlined in these guidelines;
- do not meet the assessment criteria; and
- have already started or been completed (i.e. retrospective funding).
Your organisation can apply if it is one of the following:
- a Victorian Local Government Area (Council);
- a not-for-profit community organisation that is a legal entity (for example an incorporated association, incorporated cooperative or Indigenous corporation);
- a Victorian government school; or
- a Victorian non-government school registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority or Catholic Education Commission of Victoria.
Please note:
- For-profit organisations are not eligible for any grant streams within Building Blocks.
- Within the Information Technology grant stream, organisations cannot apply for more than one $2k grant for the same service in the same grant round.
- Within the ELFU and Minor Improvement Grants streams organisations cannot apply for more than one grant for the same project.
- Applicants may apply again if they have been successful with applications in previous rounds or grant streams.
For further information regarding grant eligibility, please refer to the Building Blocks eligibility factsheet below.
If you propose an Improvement project on land owned by the Department of Education (DE) you must contact the VSBA Early Childhood Grants team as early as possible during the development of your proposal, to discuss the approach to land and project delivery.
The VSBA Early Childhood Grants team can be contacted by emailing building.blocks@education.vic.gov.au.
Applications for projects on DE land must include:
- a completed Land Use Proposal Form (further information available)
- a copy of any existing lease or agreement between relevant parties;
- a detailed design of your proposal; and
- 2 quotes from a qualified professional for projects less than $200,000 OR 1 Quantity Surveyor report for projects of $200,000 or more
Successful grant recipients must also enter into a lease agreement with DE (if not already) in addition to their Common Funding Agreement.
Further information on these requirements can be found in the frequently asked questions.
The Building Blocks Improvement Stream is a competitive grants stream and applications will be assessed against the eligibility and merit assessment criteria.
A Building Blocks Improvement assessment factsheet is available below to help you understand the Improvement assessment process.
This factsheet explains the type of information you need to include in your application. Please make sure that you refer to this factsheet when preparing your application.
Following the assessment process, the Department will provide its recommendation to the Minister for Early Childhood & Pre-Prep for final approval.
The Minister reserves the right to provide strategic investment to projects. The Minister may also, on advice from the Department, provide funding to partners, in exceptional circumstances to support the provision of funded Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten services across the state.
Eligibility assessment
The grants offered under the Improvement stream are highly competitive and organisations need to ensure that their applications include clear and convincing supporting documentation to increase the chances of being successful.
Depending on the grant you are applying for, you will need to ensure that all the required documentation has been provided.
Merit assessment criteria
Funding recommendations will be based on the extent you can demonstrate that your project addresses the following assessment criteria. These are weighted according to the specified percentages. The weightings align with Building Blocks Improvement stream objectives:
Early Learning Facility Upgrades
- improves the quality of the learning environment at existing facilities that are approved or intend to be approved for Three- and Four-Year-Old kindergarten (40%)
- delivers a quality kindergarten program that maintains current capacity or responds to projected demand for funded kindergarten places (10%).
- improves access to high-quality early childhood services for the local community (12.5%)
- the proposed project facilitates access for children of all abilities (12.5%)
- the proposed project promotes environmental sustainability, and includes environmentally sustainable features, in design or construction where possible (12.5%)
- confirmation the project is ready to commence construction (12.5%).
Minor Improvement
- improves the quality of the learning environment at existing facilities that are approved or intend to be licensed for Three- and Four-Year-Old kindergarten (50%)
- the proposed project facilitates access for children of all abilities (17.5%)
- the proposed project adheres to environmental sustainability principles, and includes environmentally sustainable features, in design or construction where possible (17.5%)
- confirmation the project is ready to commence construction (15%).
Information Technology
- demonstrate how the proposed purchase will be used to provide educational benefits to the service (100%).
Past performance
We will review your past performance and assess whether it is likely to have an impact on successful delivery of your project. This will include considering whether you have:
- taken appropriate steps to deliver previous projects funded through the Building Blocks program (or previous Children’s Facilities Capital and Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities program) within appropriate timeframes;
- overdue projects funded by the Department and whether extensions have been requested and approved;
- completed projects funded by the Department and whether you have submitted all documentation required to acquit the grant funding, including regular monthly reporting and acquittal within the contracted time frame; and/or
- proposed an operator of the service with a record of delivering a quality kindergarten program, particularly in the same community or area as the project.
Poor performance against these factors may result in projects not being recommended for funding or funding withdrawal.
Organisations that receive a grant must:
- agree to the requirements outlined in these guidelines (failure to do so may result in funding being withheld);
- enter into a formal Common Funding Agreement with the Department;
- where applicable, follow the Building Blocks Acknowledgement and Publicity Guidelines, including liaising with the Department and holding events on request, such as sod turns and openings, and erecting signage for projects, (signage only required for projects valued at over $250,000);
- submit an acquittal form and the required supporting evidence for approval by the Department upon completion of the project;
- agree that no additional Department of Education state funding will be allocated to the proposed project. Cost overruns must be met by the applicant; and
To remain eligible for funding, you must not enter into a contract or commence any works proposed in your application before we inform you of the application outcome.
Before submitting your application, we encourage you to review the following documents which further clarify your obligations for receiving Building Blocks funding.
The Betrayal of Trust Report found that survivors of institutional child abuse were sometimes unable to identify an appropriate legal entity to sue.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse also recommended that governments consider requiring organisations they fund to be insured against child abuse.
From 1 July 2019, non-government organisations funded by the Victorian Government to deliver services to children will be required, as a condition of funding to be:
- incorporated separate legal entities that can be sued in their own right in child abuse proceedings and
- appropriately insured against child abuse.
The new requirements will improve the ability of child abuse survivors to bring a legal claim for compensation and ensure that successful claims can be paid.
There are other grant programs that provide funding for the development of early childhood facilities and services. The Department of Education must be advised of other funding applications for your project. We reserve the right to consider grant applications made for other programs, offered by the Department or other government departments, and to submit Improvement stream applications to other Department agency led grant programs for consideration for funding under those programs where appropriate.
Project management requirements
For Early Learning Facility Upgrade grants, a qualified and experienced project manager must be identified at the time of application and appointed within four weeks of the funding announcement.
Project reporting requirements
As a condition of grant funding for the Minor Improvement and Early Learning Facility Upgrade streams, successful applicants must comply with project monitoring and reporting requirements, including:
- monthly status reports through an online reporting system to provide an update on progress, updating proposed, forecast and actual dates for project milestones, flagging risks and issues, and providing the required evidence when payment milestones have been met;
- advising the Department in advance of key milestones including architect appointment, design completion, sod turn and construction completion and providing opportunities for public communication of these milestones;
- advising the Department of scope changes (relating to time, cost and project scope) by completing and submitting a Request for Variation form (RFV) via an online reporting system;
- site inspections, meetings and teleconferences with Department staff or representatives if required;
- production of building contracts, receipts and/or invoices when requested; and
- acquittal through an online reporting system
As a condition of funding for Information Technology grants, successful applicants must comply with project monitoring and reporting requirements, including:
- advising the Department of scope changes (relating to time, cost, and project scope) by completing and submitting a RFV form via an online reporting system;
- site inspections, meetings and teleconferences with Department staff or representatives if required;
- production of receipts and/or invoices when requested; and
- acquittal through an online reporting system
Acquittal requirements and project variations
All successful applicants are required to upload information into the Department’s reporting system to complete their acquittal.
Recipient organisations must contact the Department immediately if they:
- require a project extension
- propose a change in project scope
- propose a change in project costs which results in either an overspend or underspend.
Applicants will be required to complete a Request for Variation form (which will be submitted through an online reporting system), together with detailed evidence that explains the reason for the variation. The applicant will be asked to allocate any underspend towards additional eligible items in line with the guidelines before an acquittal is accepted. Overspends remain the responsibility of the organisation.
Further information on acquittal requirements and variation requests can be found in the frequently asked questions.
After the closing date
After the closing date for applications has passed, the Department will check to confirm that applications meet the following eligibility requirements:
- all required documentation has been provided (refer to application checklist)
- assess all eligible applications against the assessment criteria; and
- convene an assessment panel to oversee recommendations and manage any conflicts of interest.
We may also undertake further project cost assessment in instances where project costs are particularly complex, or clarification is required.
Following this process, the Department will provide its recommendation to the Minister for Early Childhood & Pre-Prep for final approval. The Minister reserves the right to provide strategic investment to projects. The Minister may also, on advice from the Department, provide funding to partners, in exceptional circumstances, to support the provision of funded Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten services across the state.
Application forms can be accessed online through SmartyGrants. Applicants must be registered to use the Smarty Grants application system. Registration is free.
For assistance with the online application system, please email the Smarty Grants Support Desk or call on 03 9320 6888 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. You can also consult the help guide.
The Department will not consider late applications.
Please think ahead
Two documents that require the most time to secure are the Soil Hygienist Report and the Asbestos Report. It is recommended that applicants obtain these reports, or at least engage these services prior to the commencement of the application process.
Applications for projects on Department land are not required to provide a soil hygienist report. The VSBA will complete this requirement following the submission of your application.
Soil Hygienist Report
A Soil Hygienist Report is required for any project that disturbs the soil to determine the suitability of the site for the proposed purpose of an early learning centre. It is important that an environmental professional is engaged to provide a Soil Hygienist Report – and not a geotechnical report.
Soil Hygienist Reports must:
- be performed by a qualified environmental professional
- align with standards such as the National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Contaminated Sites) Measure (NEPM)
- involve a desktop review of past site history and soil investigation samples for analysis of contaminants with particular focus on where project soil works are proposed
- compare contamination results against NEPM human health and ecological investigation levels as well as Victoria EPA Industrial Waste thresholds
- include a statement to indicate if the site is suitable for the intended use as an early learning centre and/ or potential project risks
- specify if contaminated soil is identified above the levels specified for the intended use as an early learning centre
If contaminated soil is identified above the levels specified for the intended use as an early learning centre, recommendations for a soil management plan must be developed (e.g. for safe management or removal and disposal of the contaminated soil) and provided as part of your grant application.
Examples of consultants who specialise in soil hygienist testing and site assessment, are listed below:
- The Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association – Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association
- The State Government Construction Supply Register under Contamination Testing category
Division 6 Asbestos Audit Report
A Division 6 Asbestos Audit Report is project site specific and is required for any project that involves works to a building where the fabric of the building will be disturbed.
Division 6 Asbestos Audit Reports must:
- be performed by a trained professional such as an Occupational Hygienist
- contain the results of a visual and invasive inspection of a building to monitor and identify Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).
- include the logged results of the asbestos audit in an asbestos register, which is to be updated following all subsequent audit reports and removal works.
If ACM is discovered in a building or site, an asbestos management, removal, and disposal plan must be developed and provided as part of your grant application.
Information and examples of consultants who specialises in Asbestos and site assessment, are listed at:
- The State Government Construction Supply Register under the Contamination Testing category
- WorkSafe Victoria
For further information about asbestos safety, including how to find and identify asbestos, asbestos management and asbestos disposal visit Asbestos Victoria.
The grants offered under the improvement stream are highly competitive and organisations need to ensure that their applications include clear and convincing supporting documentation to increase the chances of being successful.
Depending on the grant you are applying for, you will need to provide the following:
Evidence Description Early Learning Facility Upgrade IT Considered responses to selection criteria Responses must demonstrate how the project will meet these criteria Yes Yes Written confirmation of co-contribution (if applicable) Authorised written confirmation from the applicant and all other funding organisations including contributions from the Federal Government, Victorian Government, local government, or other sources Yes Yes Builders quotes and/or Quantity Surveyor Report, including a minimum 15% contingency in project quotes (GST exclusive) For projects under $200,000 – Two appropriate cost estimates from a building professional registered for a trade that is consistent with the scope of the proposed works,
OR
For projects $200,000 or more – One Quantity Surveyor report from a registered Quantity Surveyor is required for building projects
Yes Supplier quote (GST exclusive) One appropriate cost estimate from a registered supplier that is consistent with the scope of the proposed works are required for a total project cost Yes Project Budget (GST exclusive) A budget (i.e. a simple excel or word document) including a clear and accurately itemised table of Total Project Costs according to the quote/s provided (GST exclusive) and requested funding amount, which will be the total project cost minus any co-contribution Yes Soil Contaminates Report (if applicable) Where soil works, including playground upgrades, will be conducted, a Tier 1 preliminary soil assessment report, from a qualified Soil Hygienist. This must include testing for contaminates. Projects on land owned by the Department are not required to provide this. Yes Asbestos Report (if applicable) A Division 6 Asbestos Audit Report is required where the fabric of the building is being disturbed Yes Designs, Plans and Permits Professional schematic design drawings and/or site plans to illustrate what parts of the land or building will be changed by the project Yes Project Plan A plan (i.e. a simple excel or word document) to support the dates nominated in the application for stages of the project Yes Affected services If your project will directly affect service providers currently operating at the facility or providers of services in the area that would be relocated to the new facility, evidence that you have consulted with these providers such as letters of support or documented outcomes of consultation. Yes Not-for-Profit Status* Evidence of not-for-profit status (such as a copy of your Australian Business Number, registration as a not-for-profit, certificate of registration as charity, or a certificate of registration as an incorporated association) Yes Yes Signed financial Statements* A signed certified accountant’s confirmation of the applicant’s last two years financial statements as evidence of financial solvency for the last two years Yes Local Government Endorsement* Provide a letter of support for this project from the CEO of the Local Government Area (or authorised delegate), dated within three months of your application closing date Yes Auspice Arrangement* If an auspice arrangement is proposed, written confirmation from the auspice party is required Yes Yes Evidence of Land ownership
Note: If the land is owned by the Department of Education, you must complete a Land Use Proposal Form
The type of evidence required depends on who owns the land. Evidence of the following must be provided:
- building ownership
- authorisation to build on the site
- intention to operate a facility for at least 4 years after completing the project.
- land ownership
Land Ownership Required Evidence
If you own the land for your nominated project site, you can provide a copy of the land title, LANDATA documents or council rates notice showing your organisation’s name and the service address.
If the local government or a third party own the land, you must provide a copy of the title with project address and owners name as well as the current lease with an end date at least 4 years after completing the project:
- If the current lease will end earlier than four years from the date that the CFA is signed, the applicant will need to provide a letter from the landowner stating they intend to allow the facility to operate as a kindergarten for at least 4 years after completing the project.
- We also require signed, written approval to undertake the works (on letterhead of the organisation) from the landowner.
Where the landowner is not the building owner, the applicant needs to provide evidence of:
- title of building ownership
- permission to undertake works
- authorisation for the applicant to use the building to operate a kindergarten for 4 years after completing the project.
Yes Note: Items marked with an Asterix (*) are ONLY required if you are a not- for-profit or non-government school
If you are unsuccessful in obtaining funding for a Building Blocks Improvement grant you may:
- contact the Early Childhood grants team for feedback on your application and outcome; or
- seek a review into the assessment of your application.
The VSBA Early Childhood Grants team can be contacted by emailing building.blocks@education.vic.gov.au
Before applying, please refer to the Building Blocks Improvement assessment factsheet below. This factsheet contains important information about your grant application. Please also read the frequently asked questions.
If you have any queries, contact the VSBA Early Childhood Grants team by emailing building.blocks@education.vic.gov.au
Information privacy
The information you provide will be dealt with in accordance with the Public Records Act 1973 and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.
Resources
The following links are provided as a starting point for considering best practice approaches. Applicants are encouraged to undertake their own research to identify solutions that will meet their needs.
Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority
Department of Education
Disability Standards for Education
Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework
International resources
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design – The 7 Principles of Universal Design
Health and Education Advice and Resource Team – Universal Design of Schools and Classrooms
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – Including Pupils with Special Educational Needs in Schools in Ireland
UNICEF – The State of the World’s Children – Playgrounds of Inclusion
Special Education Degrees Guide – 30 Most Impressive Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds
National Centre on Universal Design for Learning – Universal Design Guidelines for Learning
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