Recently the City of Greater Bendigo called for public feedback on a Draft Early Years Infrastructure Strategy as part of its contribution to ensuring that there are sufficient kindergarten services to meet the current and future needs of the community over the next 10 years.

Greater Bendigo’s population is growing and the recent introduction of funded three and four-year old kindergarten is placing pressure on the ageing kindergarten infrastructure owned or managed by the City. Most of the buildings the City owns or manages for early years services are more than 35 years old and some are no longer suitable to run a contemporary service.

Recommendations in the draft strategy included a new build, expansion of existing buildings and some closures of kindergarten buildings that are no longer fit-for-contemporary purpose. These recommendations were not about providing less services, they were about redistributing services to areas that need them most.

Premier Daniel Andrews has now announced further early years reforms including free kindergarten, and the introduction of a 30-hour, pre-prep year for four-year-olds. Details of the roll-out plan have not been fully revealed however the City feels confident it will have an impact on the supply vs demand analysis included in the draft strategy.

Further development of the Early Years Infrastructure Strategy will be put on hold until more information is made available about the State Government reforms (most likely towards the end of 2022). We appreciate all feedback received so far and will continue to consult with providers and the community as updates are made.

In the interim if you have any questions please contact Jo Connellan, Connected Communities Coordinator on 5434 6437.