Up to $200,000 to create more accessible and inclusive learning environments for children of all abilities through infrastructure upgrades and purchase of inclusive educational equipment.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants (BBIG) stream?
Building Blocks is a planning and funding program run by the Victorian Government to help deliver the early childhood infrastructure Victoria needs over this decade.
Building Blocks grants help kindergartens create more places, improve the quality of the learning environment, increase inclusivity and invest in technology. The grants fund new facilities, upgrades to buildings, playgrounds and equipment that make a big difference to how Victorian kindergartens meet the educational and social needs of all children.
Funding under the Inclusion stream is provided under the following categories:
- Buildings and Playgrounds – Funding for infrastructure upgrades to make kindergarten activities safer, more inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities
- Equipment – Funding for moveable inclusive education equipment, such as mobility stools and sensory equipment for kindergarten programs
Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants level of support
Grants
- Buildings and Playgrounds: funding up to $200,000
- Equipment: funding up to $10,000
- Applicants do not have to co-contribute.
Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants important dates
- Buildings and Playgrounds Closing Date: This stream is now closed
- Equipment Closing Date: This stream is now closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants objective
The primary objectives of the Building Blocks Inclusion Grant Stream are to:
- Increase engagement and improve learning outcomes for children of all abilities.
- Promote inclusive teaching approaches tailored to the needs of all learners.
- Create innovative learning environments based on best practices in inclusive and universal design.
Projects eligible for Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants support
Eligible projects include:
- Upgrading early childhood buildings and playgrounds to enhance safety and inclusivity.
- Purchasing inclusive educational equipment to support diverse learning needs.
Ineligible projects:
- Are not located at a funded kindergarten service(s) at the time of application.
- Are not at facilities that offer (or intend to offer) both Three and Four-Year-Old Funded Kindergarten programs.
- Are located outside Victoria.
- Do not align with the program objectives.
- Do not meet the requirements outlined in the guidelines.
- Do not meet the assessment criteria or include all the required costings and documentation (such as soil asbestos or Quantity Surveyor reports) at the time of application.
- Have already started or been completed (i.e., retrospective funding).
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible projects.
Expenditure eligible for Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants support
For Buildings and Playgrounds:
- Project management costs.
- Planning and design costs that result in a completed playground or building upgrade.
- Site preparation, including clearing or demolition.
- Construction and commissioning.
- Landscaping and accessible car parking.
- Fixed fittings and fixed equipment.
- Soil contamination assessment (completed before application submission).
- Division 6 Asbestos Audit Assessment (completed before application submission).
For Equipment:
Moveable and accessible equipment such as:
- Ramps to support transition between play areas and entry/exit to services.
- Safety surfacing (e.g., soft fall mats) and indoor/outdoor gross motor skill equipment such as climbing frames and balancing boards.
- Indoor/outdoor sensory equipment and resources.
- Adjustable furniture such as inclusion tables, change tables, mobility stools, toilet frames/steps, and walking frames.
- Padding for building structures (e.g., around veranda posts).
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible expenditure.
Other Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants support
Eligible organisations include:
- Victorian local governments (Councils).
- Not-for-profit community organisations that are legal entities (e.g., incorporated associations).
- Victorian government and non-government schools registered with the appropriate authorities.
- Victorian kindergarten providers with a funded kindergarten service at the time of application.
Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants assessment criteria
Buildings and Playgrounds
Applications are assessed based on:
- Demonstrate how the proposed works (60%):
- upgrade or maintain infrastructure to enable children with all abilities to participate in an inclusive kindergarten learning environment
- support teaching approaches that promote inclusion
- Demonstrate how the proposed works support the seven universal design principles (20%)
- Demonstrate how the proposed works promote environmental sustainability (10%)
- Demonstrate project readiness, including provision of all required documentation and overall completeness of the application (10%)
Equipment
- Demonstrate how the proposed purchases enable children with all abilities to participate in an inclusive kindergarten learning environment and/ or increases safety (100%)
How do I get the Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
-
- a construction ready project that supports the seven universal design principles and promotes inclusiveness and environmental sustainability
- how the project improves access for the local community and children of all abilities
- consultation with service providers and local council, include letters of support
- a sound and justifiable budget including all financial contributions and key expenditure items related to the project
- the capacity, capability and experience to deliver the project in full within the agreed timeframe
Applicants’ past performance with Building Blocks grants will be assessed and may affect current applications. Factors include:
- Timely delivery
- Reporting compliance
- Acquittals
- Responsiveness to issues
Information to prepare for the Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants application
Ensure you have the following before applying:
- Soil contamination and asbestos reports (if required).
- Clear evidence of costings and project quotes.
- Detailed design of the proposed project.
- Relevant agreements for projects on Department of Education land.
For applicants proposing projects on Department of Education land:
- Requirement for Land Use Proposal Form
- Inclusion of lease agreements, structural assessments (if roof works are involved), and site plans
- That high-value/high-risk projects may be delivered by the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA)
Applying for Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants
Applications can be submitted online through the SmartyGrants system.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Building Blocks – Inclusion Grants resources
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