PHILLIP ISLAND Kindergarten have been successful in the Building Blocks Capacity Building Grant, to deliver a new two-room, 66 places early learning facility at 39 Dunsmore Road, Cowes, according to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale MP who made the announcement recently.
The new kindergarten will open in January 2026, provide a funded program for three-five-year-old children and offer also long day care.
As Director of 5 Outcomes D’Lene Johson stated “the integrated childcare model will allow families flexibility with a choice of days and longer hours per day and provide a high-quality educational program, delivered by bachelor-qualified teachers.”
“Our community is growing and we’re building on the strong foundation of early childhood education with new and expanded kinders across our community which ensures that our kids have the best start in life,” Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said.
Building Blocks Capacity Building Grants support the early learning sector to build new facilities, or expand existing infrastructure, to create additional kindergarten places for three and four-year-olds right across Victoria. Since Building Blocks was launched in 2020, the Labor Government has invested more than $235 million in planning, building and upgrading early childhood services across the state.
“We are thrilled to have received this grant to bring Phillip Island Kindergarten to the community and are really looking forward to becoming part of the Cowes community and supporting families in their children’s education,” added D’Lene Johnson, Director at 5 Outcomes.
This announcement builds on the early years investment across the Bass electorate which includes brand new centres at Newhaven, Wonthaggi North, Koo Wee Rup and Devon Meadows Primary Schools, the relocation of Lang Lang Preschool, expansion of Drysdale Street, Wonthaggi and refurbishment of Inverloch Preschool. The grant program also has a planning and design stream where previous recipients included San Remo Preschool to look towards an expansion and Newhaven College for a new kinder onsite.
“This is a fantastic outcome for our community, and we are grateful to 5 Outcomes and the State Government for their partnership in delivering this much-needed service,” Cr Tracey Bell, Bass Coast Shire Council stated.
“Having this new kindergarten join the centralised enrolment system (CRES) will ensure local families have greater access to quality early education. We look forward to continuing our work with the State and Federal Governments to strengthen local education and training opportunities, supporting a skilled workforce for the future.”
For more information, go to schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/building-blocks-grants-capacity-building.
