Vic govt developing more childcare centres

THE Victorian government is adding an extra four childcare centres to the pipeline of t10 sites already due for delivery in 2026, in response to the shortage of early learning facilities.

Three of the new centres will be located at new schools including Mickleham South Primary School, Toolern Waters Primary School and Wollert Andrews Road Primary School, while the fourth will be built next to Teesdale Primary School on recently acquired land.

The new centres will provide more than 450 further places for children across childcare and three-and four-year-old kindergarten services.

“We’re proud to deliver more early childhood education where it’s needed most – we know the years between birth and five years old are the most critical for development, and we’re backing every Victorian child to thrive,” said Kathleen Matthews-Ward, member for Broadmeadows.

Architectus has been appointed to design the facilities at Mickleham South and Wollert Andrews Road Primary schools.

With Brand Architects appointed to design the centres at Toolern Waters and Teesdale Primary schools.

Victoria’s first four early learning and childcare centres (ELCCs) in the pipeline are on track to open in 2025.

Hutchinson Builders has been appointed deliver the construction of ELCCs at Sunshine Primary School, Eaglehawk North Primary School, Moomba Park Primary School and Murtoa College.

The state government will establish new 50 ELCCs to improve access to early education between 2025 and 2032.

“Every family deserves to have access to local and affordable early childhood education and care – that’s why we’re delivering 50 early learning and childcare centres in the Victorian communities that need them most,” said Lizzie Blandthorn, minister for children.

“Victoria’s first 18 early learning and childcare centres will be conveniently located at government schools, and I’m excited about the opportunities these facilities will bring for local children, local schools and their communities.”

In Melbourne, premium childcare centre transaction are picking up, with a two-year-old facility in the south eastern suburbs selling for $8 million.

With centres at 46 Dendy Street, in the blue-ribbon suburb of Brighton changing hands for $17.5 million and 86 Springvale Road in Nunawading for $12.8 million.