Building a strong future for our youngest residents

Council has adopted the Early Years Infrastructure Plan – a blueprint to ensure our youngest residents have the spaces they need to learn, play and thrive.

The plan responds to the State Government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms, which will increase kindergarten hours for 3 and 4-year-olds over the next decade.

This plan outlines how we can make sure our early years facilities are fit for purpose, accessible and ready for the future.

Currently, Council owns 25 kindergarten facilities, making up 24% of local services. The rest are provided by private operators.

By 2036, we’ll need 63 additional kindergarten places across Council’s early years facilities to meet growing demand and need to accommodate additional hours.

The biggest need will be in Warrandyte, Wonga Park, Doncaster East (south), Doncaster and Lower Templestowe (based on current projections).

The plan sets out how we’ll work to meet the increased demand by:

• expanding and upgrading Council-owned kindergarten facilities in high-demand areas, with funding from the State Government
• working with the State Government to create new kindergartens on school sites
• maintaining and renewing existing Council facilities ensuring they meet community needs
• planning ahead to make sure services keep pace with community growth.

Read the full Early Years Infrastructure Plan and see how we’re building a strong future for Manningham families.

Thank you to the early years kindergarten services who contributed to this review.