The Role of Building Blocks Grants in the 'Best Start, Best Life' Reforms
Victoria’s early childhood education sector is undergoing a transformation—and at the heart of it is the ‘Best Start, Best Life’ initiative. Designed to improve access to quality early learning for every child across the state, this landmark reform is backed by significant government investment in both infrastructure and workforce support. A critical component driving the physical expansion of this vision is the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks grants, which enable communities to create future-focused learning environments that align with the reform’s objectives.
A New Era for Early Learning in Victoria
The ‘Best Start, Best Life’ reforms are centred on the understanding that a child’s early years lay the foundation for lifelong learning and development. This program is rolling out free kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds, alongside a progressive shift to 30 hours of Pre-Prep for all four-year-olds by 2036. To accommodate this shift, there is a clear need for more learning spaces—designed to be inclusive, sustainable, and purpose-built for modern pedagogy.
This is where the Building Blocks grants come into play. These grants are instrumental in helping local councils, not-for-profits, and early childhood providers deliver the kind of facilities that support this generational change.
What are the Building Blocks Grants?
The Building Blocks program provides capital funding for the planning, construction, and improvement of early childhood infrastructure. It is structured across several streams, including:
- Capacity Building Grants, which support new builds and expansions
- Improvement Grants, which upgrade existing facilities
- Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program, which ensures learning environments are accessible to all children
Each stream is tailored to meet specific community needs, whether it’s growing enrolment capacity, enhancing play-based learning spaces, or improving accessibility for children with additional needs.
Supporting Local Communities and Educational Providers
The rollout of universal Pre-Prep means that early learning services need to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. Through Building Blocks funding, providers can design environments that go beyond compliance, creating inspiring, child-centred spaces where early learning can flourish. From open-air outdoor classrooms to nature-based landscaping and multipurpose rooms that foster both creativity and collaboration, these grants make a tangible difference to how and where children learn.
For regional and growing communities, access to this funding can be pivotal. It ensures that no matter where a child lives—whether it’s in the heart of Melbourne or a rural township—they can start life with the same access to high-quality early education facilities.
Landscapes That Inspire Learning
In line with the objectives of the ‘Best Start, Best Life’ reforms, there’s growing recognition that physical environments influence children’s engagement, wellbeing, and learning outcomes. That’s why many recipients of the Building Blocks grants are not just building walls—they’re thoughtfully designing landscapes that support outdoor learning, sensory exploration, and inclusive play.
Design and landscaping specialists working in this space understand how to create environments that are safe, inspiring, and aligned with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. These spaces are an essential part of helping children thrive in the early years—and they represent a lasting investment in community wellbeing.
Looking Ahead
The scale and ambition of the ‘Best Start, Best Life’ reforms require robust infrastructure to support them. The Victorian Government’s Building Blocks grants play an essential role in ensuring these reforms aren’t just policy on paper, but a lived reality for children and families across the state. By enabling the construction of modern, inclusive, and engaging learning environments, these grants are shaping a stronger start for every Victorian child.
Whether you’re a provider planning a new facility or a community stakeholder advocating for better early learning spaces, understanding and leveraging these grants is key to being part of Victoria’s educational future.
