More access to early education for Victorian families

The Albanese and Allan Labor governments have announced the next six locations to benefit from new or expanded early childhood education and care centres in Victoria.

Families and children in the communities of Nicholson, Red Cliffs, Corio, Cranbourne East, Frankston, and Robinvale will benefit from new centres.

This is in addition to the delivery of three Early Learning Victoria centres that opened in 2026: Murrum in Weir Views, Garrong in Kings Park and Dupitjin in Wedderburn.

Two other sites will be announced shortly in Melton and Whittlesea.

This is all part of a $170.1 million partnership between the Federal and Victorian Government that will deliver around 1,110 early childhood education and care places across the 11 locations. 

The Albanese Government’s $1 billion Building Early Education Fund is delivering more quality centres where families need them most, including in outer suburban and regional areas.

The Federal Government is investing a total of $63 million in Victoria through the Building Early Education Fund, with the Victorian Government contributing $107 million towards the projects. 

The centres in Nicholson and Red Cliffs will open in 2027 and be operated by Early Learning Victoria.  

Four more centres – including Corio and Cranbourne East, and the local government areas of Melton and Whittlesea – will open in 2028. 

The final two sites will open in 2029 in Frankston and Robinvale. 

The Early Learning Victoria centre in Nicholson will be located next to Nicholson Primary School, while the centre in Red Cliffs will be located near the town’s Early Years Hub, expanding on existing services by offering long day care. 

A redeveloped and expanded service will open at the Northern Bay College’s Goldsworthy Campus. This redevelopment will expand offerings for the community in a contemporary building. 

The Victorian Government has also acquired land in Cranbourne East to meet the needs of its growing community. These will be new community hubs, delivering early education and care alongside a range of professional services such as health and support programs for children and their families. 

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) will operate two of the centres, supporting self-determination and Aboriginal-led delivery. First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing will deliver the First Peoples' Early Years Hub in Frankston, and Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative Limited will redevelop and expand its early learning centre in Robinvale. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh: 

“I am so proud the Albanese and Allan Governments are partnering to deliver more early learning centres for Victorian children and families. 

“Every child deserves access to quality early learning – no matter their postcode. 

“Our $1 billion Building Early Education Fund is delivering more early learning centres for more families in more places, particularly in our outer suburbs and regions.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn:

“Together, we're delivering quality early learning to families in the communities that need it most – no matter where they live.

“This partnership means more families in our outer suburbs, regions and Aboriginal communities will have access to quality early childhood education and care close to home.”