The Kindergartens on school sites(opens in a new window) (KOSS) program has reached a major milestone this year with the opening of the 100th kindergarten on a school site.
In total, the program has built 213 new kinder rooms, which have created an additional 12,586 places for local families. Locating kindergartens on school sites makes drop-offs more convenient and provides a smoother transition for children to primary school.
The first KOSS kindergarten opened in 2019. By the end of 2026, there will be 104 new and expanded kindergartens on school sites. Another 27 kindergartens have been confirmed to open on government school sites in 2027 or 2028.
Nurturing positive transitions
Gordon Kindergarten is one of the most recent to open its doors as part of the program, opening in Term 1, 2026. Located at Gordon Primary School, around 20km from Ballarat, the kindergarten is run by the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC). BADAC is Victoria’s first Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation to operate a KOSS.
Gordon Kindergarten is the first early education centre in the area. With 2 primary schools nearby, the need for it was clear.
Kindergarten Manager Bridget Buttacavoli spoke of the benefits.
‘Families only have to navigate one central drop off instead of previously having to travel to neighbouring areas and have responded favourably to operation hours that mirror school times,’ Bridget said.
‘A KOSS helps to nurture positive and successful transitions into formal schooling, making what can sometimes be a big leap, more of a seamless and somewhat integrated approach.’
Building a community
Collaborating has been exciting for both the kindergarten and school, having already shared community events.
‘Families love being part of their child's learning journey, with many opportunities to engage with the program, and connect with other local families,’ Bridget said.
‘That ‘community feel’ is already there, practices are being embedded, and partnerships formed with our families, the school, and the wider community.’
Planning for the future
The KOSS program is delivered by the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA). Kindergartens and new primary schools are delivered together, with every new primary school built with a kinder at or next to it.
The needs of each area are different, so the VSBA works closely with local government to plan new kindergartens.
This work helps ensure growing communities have access to local early learning programs now and in the future.
Find out more
For more information, refer to Kinders at schools(opens in a new window).
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