Early Years Infrastructure Plan

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Background:

Manningham’s Community Infrastructure Plan 2023 – 2040 identified a short-term priority to develop an Early Years Infrastructure Plan to support the recent changes to the kindergarten reform and guide the future provision of investment into Early Years Infrastructure.

Early Years facilities are used in the provision of education, care, and support services to children from birth to six years of age and their families. These services include Kindergarten, Long Day Care, Maternal and Child Health Services and Toy Libraries.

The Early Years Infrastructure Plan will provide a strategic framework to ensure that the children of Manningham Council have greater

Background:

Manningham’s Community Infrastructure Plan 2023 – 2040 identified a short-term priority to develop an Early Years Infrastructure Plan to support the recent changes to the kindergarten reform and guide the future provision of investment into Early Years Infrastructure.

Early Years facilities are used in the provision of education, care, and support services to children from birth to six years of age and their families. These services include Kindergarten, Long Day Care, Maternal and Child Health Services and Toy Libraries.

The Early Years Infrastructure Plan will provide a strategic framework to ensure that the children of Manningham Council have greater access to contemporary early years facilities, optimising developmental and learning outcomes.

Why:

In June 2022, the Victorian Government announced its Best Start Best Life reforms which include:

  • The introduction of universal access to 15 hours of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten
  • Four-Year-Old Kindergarten transitioning to Pre-Prep (and increasing to a universal 30-hour a week program of play-based learning), and
  • Making three- and four-year-old kindergarten free across Victoria by 2036.

The plan includes the following:

  • Overarching framework that outlines the aim, objectives, guiding principles and Council’s role in the provision of early years facilities and services.
  • A detailed assessment of Early Years infrastructure in Manningham to determine current and future demand priorities including recommendations and actions.
  • A high-level prioritised implementation plan with input to Council’s 10-year capex plan.

More information:

Best Start Best Life

  • Building a strong future for our youngest residents

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    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.

Page last updated: 28 Nov 2025, 02:54 PM