A new kindergarten will open at a Belmont primary school in over a year to give more children the best start in life.
Work on the new kindergarten will start early next year, and it will open at Oberon Primary School in Term 1, 2026.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the kindergarten would feature at least two rooms and 118 places for three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs.
“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services so our children can get the most out of great local kindergartens,” she said.
“We’re proud to be funding early childhood infrastructure because we know how important the early years are in setting our kids up for the rest of their lives.”
The modular kindergarten will be constructed offsite in a factory in sections known as modules to take advantage of faster construction times and minimise disruptions.
Builders will assemble the modules at the school before constructing utilities and completing outdoor play areas and landscaping grounds.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said having kindergartens close to schools supported children in getting the most out of their earlier learning and made drop-offs easier for parents and carers.
“The future Oberon Primary School Kindergarten is one of 25 new kinders opening at or near government schools in 2026,” she said.
“The project responds to strong local demand for kindergarten in the Belmont area and will ensure local families have ongoing access to sessional kindergarten programs.”
The state government has delivered 60 new or expanded kindergartens on or near school sites since 2019.
The state government aims to deliver 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of Pre-Prep by 2036.
