WHY ARE THERE TWO YEARS OF KINDERGARTEN?
The first years of life see children’s brains undergo tremendous growth. Neuroscience shows that early brain development is critical in shaping the learning, development, health and wellbeing of children, and impacts on their future life opportunities.
Social science shows that quality early childhood education improves children’s outcomes before, during and after the school years, and that two years of kindergarten have a greater impact than one.
International studies suggest 15 hours per week is the optimal number of hours in an early childhood education program in order to have a positive impact on children’s learning and development. (Reference – State of Victoria – Department of Education and Training, 2020)
WHEN DO WE ENROL?
To check when your child will be eligible to start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, you can use the starting age calculator.
Use the Pre-Prep calculator (opens in a new window) to find out if your child is eligible to attend Pre-Prep and when they can start.
Families with children born between January and April can choose which year to start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. These children can start in the same year they turn three, or in the year they turn four years of age.
HOW DOES FREE KINDER WORK?
Kinder in sessional (standalone) kindergarten services will be supported to provide a free, 15-hour kindergarten program through an additional per child payment of $2,500.
Children who attend a sessional kindergarten program (that does not attract the Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy) in a long day care service will attract the sessional rate of $2,500 and be able to participate at no cost.
For more information on the Free Kinder Initiative, please click on the link
Quick guide for parents | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)
IS A SECOND YEAR OF 3YO FUNDED KINDERGARTEN AVAILABLE?
From 2026, an additional year of funded kindergarten 3YO kindergarten may be considered appropriate when a child shows delays in at least 2 learning and development outcome areas from the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and when:
- the 3YO kindergarten program is deemed to be the most appropriate learning program for the child
- the child will achieve better outcomes at Three-Year-Old Kindergarten than if they go to transition to Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (or Pre-Prep) the following year
IS A SECOND YEAR OF FUNDED 4YO or PRE-PREP PROGRAM AVAILABLE?
Currently, children in the 4YO or Pre-Prep program who have developmental delays in two or more key areas of development and who would benefit from a second year of kindergarten will be eligible to access a second year of funded 4YO or Pre-Prep following an assessment by an early childhood teacher.
For further information on additional years of funded kindergarten, please visit the below website:
https://www.vic.gov.au/additional-year-of-funded-kindergarten
IS IMMUNISATION A REQUIREMENT FOR ENROLMENT?
The Victorian Government has amended the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. To have an enrolment confirmed, parents/carers must provide the service with:
- a current Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR); AND
- the statement must show that the child is up to date with all vaccinations that are due for their age; or that they are able to receive. An Immunisation History Statement from the AIR is the only type of immunisation record that early childhood services can accept for the purposes of confirming enrolment.
PLEASE NOTE: immunisation records from maternal health services will not be accepted documentation.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITY OF ACCESS GUIDELINES?
The Priority of Access (PoA) criteria require funded kindergarten services to prioritise specified cohorts of children, in the instance there is a higher demand than places available. This helps to ensure that children who are vulnerable, disadvantaged or who have a disability are supported to access a kindergarten place.
Please note that Priority of Access guidelines change from year to year as advised by the Department of Education.
The Priority of Access guidelines in 2027 include:
- Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in out-of-home care
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- Asylum seeker and refugee children
- Children and/or families holding concession cards
- Children from families with multiple births (triplets or more)
- Children and/or families with additional needs who require additional assistance to fully participate in the kindergarten program
- Children accessing an additional year of 3/4YO Kindergarten or Pre-Prep
- Priority of Access will then be given to children currently attending the service.
Once all PoA children have been accommodated, service-specific criteria will be applied to prioritise children such as those with a sibling in the service and/or those living closest to the service.
If your child has additional needs and may require extra support from kindergarten staff, please indicate this in the space provided on the Enrolment Application Form. Please attach supporting documentation from qualified professionals if you are enrolling under the Priority of Access Guidelines. Supporting documentation includes a referral from the National Disability Insurance Scheme, an Early Childhood Intervention Service, Preschool Field Officer or Maternal and Child Health Nurse.
Parents with concerns about their child’s needs may wish to obtain extra information from the local kindergarten teacher or the regional Children’s Services Adviser.
WHAT IS THE KINDER TIMETABLE?
3YO Program
Our 3YO kinder program offers a total of 15 hours split into three sessions – 6-hour session Tuesdays, 3-hour session on Thursday afternoons and 6-hour session on Fridays. Our 3YO kinder program in 2026 is staffed by one Early Childhood Teacher and two Diploma Qualified Educators supporting student learning.
Tuesday – 8am to 2pm
Thursday – 11.30am – 2.30pm
Friday – 8am – 2pm
4YO & Pre-Prep Program
Our 4YO & Pre-Prep program also offers a total of 15 hours split across three sessions – 6-hour sessions on both a Monday and Wednesday and a 3-hour session on a Thursday morning. Our 4YO & Pre-Prep program in 2026 is staffed by one Early Childhood Teacher and two Diploma Qualified Educators supporting student learning.
Monday – 8am – 2pm
Wednesday – 8am – 2pm
Thursday 8am – 11am
