Hundreds more Victorian children will soon be given the chance to learn, explore and play in nature, with the Allan Labor Government expanding the highly popular Bush Kinder program.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced seventeen more kindergartens in northern Victoria will now run Bush Kinder, supported by funding to make outdoor early learning accessible right across the state.
The 2026 expansion will see the new Bush Kinder program established at:
- Baranduda Community Centre
- Tallangatta Early Years Learning Centre
- Mansfield Community Cubby House
- Kathleen Kelly Kindergarten in Mildura
- Robinvale Preschool Centre
- Nangiloc & District Kindergarten
- Shine Bright Swan Hill South Kindergarten
- TAFE Kids Inc in Mildura
- Colbinabbin Preschool
- Violet Town and District Early Childhood Centre
- Goodstart Early Learning Echuca
- Shine Bright Echuca Central Kindergarten
- Shine Bright Lockington Kindergarten
- Country Buddies Woods Road in Shepparton
- Guthrie Street Child Care Centre in Shepparton
- Barmah Outreach Kindergarten in Shepparton
- Toolamba Preschool
The Labor Government is investing $3.6 million to expand Bush Kinder programs in up to 600 kindergarten services. Since the grants started, 300 services have already received funding to establish or improve their programs.
Bush Kinder takes learning beyond the classroom and into parks, bushland and beaches, where children can climb explore and discover the natural world – building confidence, curiosity and a love of the outdoors.
These supervised programs give children safe opportunities to learn through play, supporting their physical and cognitive development while encouraging independence and problem-solving.
Families across Victoria are struggling with the cost of living right now. Our investment in Free Kinder is also saving families up to $2,700 per child, every single year – real help to save families time and money.
Our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education and making sure children can get the very best start in life, no matter where they live.
The Labor Government is building and expanding hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting the delivery of 15 hours of three-year-old kindergarten each week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of Pre-Prep each week by 2036.
To find out which other kindergartens are receiving a bush kinder grant, visit vic.gov.au/bush-kinder.
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“I’m pleased to see bush kinder expanded across northern Victoria – they let children learn through exploring, imagining, and playing outdoors.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
“Every child, from regional communities to our smallest suburbs, deserves the chance to learn in nature, to climb, explore and discover.”
“Bush Kinder gives them that freedom – and we’re proud to help 150 more kinders take learning outdoors.”
“Only a Labor Government would deliver Free Kinder for busy families across Victoria.”
