Early Childhood Education and Care Services at Schools

Building and establishment of the Early Childhood Education and Care service

New Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services are delivered based on demand identified through population and service demand data. The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) leads site selection and infrastructure delivery with most new services delivered through the Kindergartens on School Sites (KOSS) program. Many of the 50 Early Learning Victoria (ELV) centres will also be co-located on or near school grounds. Where a school site is not suitable, the VSBA identifies nearby land.

Principals do not determine whether a school will receive a co-located ECEC service. However, if a school is identified as a preferred location, the VSBA will consult the principal about:

• site-specific concerns
• siting recommendations.

Principals are kept informed of site selection decisions and ministerial announcements by the VBSA. Once the site has been announced, the VSBA provides the principal with an information pack and invites them to participate in design and construction meetings. Where possible, Area Executive Directors and Senior Education Improvement Leaders will support this process.

The VSBA leads delivery from this point and maintains a partnership with the school leadership team, providing:

• regular construction progress updates
• notification of key milestones
• advance notice of site works to minimise operational disruption.

For ELV centres, the ELV engagement team will invite the school leadership team to regular consultation meetings in the lead up to building completion to provide updates on centre establishment and operations.

Providers for KOSS sites are appointed through a department-led selection process. While schools do not choose the provider, principals may be consulted during the process and will be notified of the outcome by their Area Executive Director. Once building is completed, the appointed service provider will move in and set up operations. If principals have any questions about the building site they can contact VSBA representatives.

The department provides school leadership teams with opportunities to attend an induction session towards the end of the year prior to the co-located ECEC service opening.

After construction is completed and before Term 1 begins, the school and service provider can coordinate site access, security protocols and site inductions. Refer to Ways of working with the ECEC Service Manager for suggestions on these discussions.