New children’s centre to support young families at Saints College

A new $6.88 million integrated children’s centre will be built at Saints College’s North Melbourne campus, creating vital early learning places and helping young parents continue their education.

Announced by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn during a visit to the campus on June 23, the project is being funded through the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Partnership (BBP) program in collaboration with Edmund Rice Education Australia Victorian Schools Ltd (EREA VSL). EREA VSL will contribute $1 .05 million to the build.

Designed to meet the needs of growing inner-city communities, the centre will feature three kindergarten rooms delivered in stages, with the first to open in 2027. A second room will follow in 2028, with the final room added by 2029 – providing up to 47 kinder places when complete.

In addition to kindergarten spaces, the integrated centre will offer long daycare services, consulting rooms and support service spaces. Crucially, the new centre will serve students participating in Saints College’s Young Parents Program, allowing young parents to bring their babies and toddlers to school while they continue their formal education.

Minister Blandthorn said the project would deliver meaningful, long-term benefits for children and parents alike.

“Kinder is an incredibly important part of a child’s early education. And it makes parents’ lives easier to give their child that early education if they can continue with their own formal education,” she said.

“It’s great to see that Saints College and the Young Parents Program will be supported with a grant of $6 .88 million to plan for and build an integrated children’s centre to wrap education and support around young parents and children at this school.”

Deputy CEO of EREA VSL Chloe Hand said the partnership would have lasting impact.

“Edmund Rice Education Australia Victorian Schools Limited (EREA VSL) are deeply grateful to partner with the government to give children the best start in life through quality early years education that positively impacts each child's development, learning and future success,” Ms Hand said.

“The project at Saints College will allow us to support our local community and the many young parents who entrust us with their own education and that of their babies and children.”

The announcement is part of the Victorian Government’s broader early education reforms. Through the Building Blocks Partnership program, 19 agreements have been signed across Victoria – supplying 110 new and expanded kindergartens and creating more than 13,925 extra kinder places. •