CAPACITY BUILDING

STREAM
APPLICATION TIPS
This tip sheet will help you complete a strong Building Blocks grant
application for the capacity building stream.
As part of your application, you will need to address up to seven key
assessment criteria, depending on which grant you are applying for.
Building Blocks grants are awarded after a competitive process. Eligibility
to apply for a grant does not guarantee the success of an application.

CAPACITY BUILDING STREAM · evidence of existing/planned partnerships that

PROJECT CRITERIA enhance integration with other services

Delivers a quality kindergarten program that · evidence of partnerships with local Child Protection,
responds to projected demand for funded Child First and Out of Home Care providers

kindergarten places · details of how services will integrate and coordinate

service delivery to meet the needs of families
The project should help meet existing or future demand for
funded Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs · relevant Australian Early Development Census data
and align with local council’s municipal plan. The applicant
· relevant sections of the latest National Quality
should show current infrastructure gaps and show how the
Framework assessment or Quality Improvement Plan.
project will increase licensed places with:

· local area population forecasts Improves access to high quality early

· waiting lists or projections for existing services childhood services for the local community

· project reference in the Municipal Early Years Plan Your application should demonstrate how the project
will improve accessibility for the local community, by
· council verification of demand for extra places including:
· details of how existing infrastructure does not meet · details of how the location supports accessibility (i.e.
demand and facilities are being used efficiently. proximity to users, transport, co-location)
This criterion is weighted at 25%. All six other criteria are · an analysis of the characteristics and needs of
weighted at 12.5%. the local community and any current policies or
strategies used to engage disadvantaged and
Supports the integrated delivery of early vulnerable families
childhood and family services or establishes
· photos of existing site, demonstrating need for
partnerships with services works to be undertaken (if an expansion grant).
Your application should demonstrate the established or
planned partnerships between early childhood and family
services, and any extra services that may be provided to
support integration and meet community needs such as:
Project is co-located with a government · stormwater management/ site permeability
school or supports the connections with local – minimise watercourse pollution, maximise
stormwater capture and onsite rainwater re-use
schools
and storage
Your application should demonstrate that the project
· building materials – use of recycled materials, future
is on, or next to, a government school, or has links with
recyclability of materials, consideration of carbon
local schools. Consider including:
footprint of the construction process and materials
· details of the location of the existing or proposed during design process
facility (i.e. on, or adjacent to, a school site)
· transport – providing bike storage, access to
· partnership arrangements to support learning showers and lockers at building
outcomes and transitions for children
· waste management – material recycling targets,
· planning or partnership approaches to plan for composting and green waste facilities
co-located facilities on new school sites.
· urban ecology – maintaining or enhancing the
ecological value, encouraging biodiversity and
Improves or develops access for children of
retention of endemic trees, promote edible gardens
all abilities* and weather resilient vegetation
Your application should show how the project will
· innovation – best practice sustainable design
facilitate access for children of all abilities by including:
standards, introduction of new technology, passive
· schematic design drawings and qualitative design approach, climate change resilient design
evidence that demonstrate decisions related to the approach
seven principles of universal design. Information can
· construction and building management – using
be found in Victorian School Building Authority’s
contractors with environmental management
Building Quality Standards Handbook
accreditation, creating guides explaining building
· current policies for children with disabilities or features, consideration of building materials.
additional needs or professional development.
Confirm the project is ready to commence
Promotion of environmentally sustainable construction
design* The project should show land ownership evidence and
Your application should demonstrate how selected details to show timeframes will be met by:
design standards will promote environmental
· appointment of a project manager or architect
sustainability with schematic design drawings and
evidence to show decisions relating to: · detailed designs or construction tender documents

· indoor environment quality – increased daylight, · consultation with key stakeholders.

thermal comfort, natural ventilation, use of
materials with low/no toxic chemicals, use of edible
vegetation to increase oxygen levels

· energy efficiency – effective shading and glazing,

appropriate building orientation, smart meters,
LED lighting, automated lighting sensors, use of
renewable energies *For Modular Kindergarten Facilities applicants will
need to address these criteria in relation to other
· water efficiency – re-use of water, avoiding use of
elements of the project such as landscaping, building
mains for irrigation, installing smart meters
orientation and furniture choice.