Kindergarten

What is three and four-year-old sessional kindergarten? 

Three and four-year-old sessional kindergarten (sometimes called ‘funded kindergarten’, ‘preschool’ or ‘early years education’) is a two-year early education program for children before they start primary school. 

Where is funded kindergarten offered?

Funded kindergarten is offered in:

• stand-alone community sessional kindergartens (during school terms)
• long day child care centres, children's centres and early learning centres.

Eligible children can receive funding for 15 hours per week for four-year-old kindergarten and 5-15 hours per week for three-year-old kindergarten.

Visit Find a Kinder for a map of all funded kindergarten services.

Is my child eligible?

Children who turn three or four before 30 April in the year they attend are eligible for kindergarten.

For example, children who are born between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022 will be eligible to start funded kindergarten in 2025.

What is the kindergarten central registration scheme? 

Council facilitates an equitable and transparent registration and allocation process for families to access community operated sessional kindergarten in their local area. Families can nominate three kindergarten group options and participate in the allocation process. 

View our map to find participating sessional kindergartens in Kingston.

How are registrations prioritised?

Children are prioritised based on the Victorian Government’s Kindergarten Funding Guidelines and the child’s residential proximity and prior connection to the first option group.

How do I register my child?

Council administers the sessional kindergarten registration and allocation process on behalf of participating sessional kindergarten services.

All you need to do is submit our free online registration form and nominate your three group options, these can be at the same or different kindergartens, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

A group refers to the set days and times the kindergarten offers in their timetable.  

View our map above to find participating sessional kindergarten services and their timetables.

When can I submit my registration form?

Registrations open each year on 1 May for kindergarten in the following year. For example, if your child is eligible to commence kindergarten in 2025 you can submit your registration from 1 May 2024.

Registration received before 30 June will be included in the first allocation round.

When are places allocated?

There are three formal allocation rounds held in July and August in the year before your child attends kindergarten. To be included in the first allocation round, submit your registration by 30 June.

Allocation rounds for kindergarten in 2025:

• 29 July - 2 August 2024
• 12 - 16 August 2024
• 26 - 30 August 2024

Ad hoc allocations are made all year round where there are vacancies.

What if I don't get my first group or kindergarten option?

You can:

• stay on the wait list until there is a vacancy
• accept an offer for a different group or kindergarten and remain on the wait list for a place at your preferred kindergarten or group

Registration doesn’t guarantee a kindergarten placement.

How do I change my kindergarten group options?

You can change your kindergarten group preference at any time by submitting your information using our online form or send an email to kindergartenenrolment@kingston.vic.gov.au.

Can my child start kindergarten before they turn three?

Children who turn three in the year they start kinder usually start from their third birthday. Depending on staff numbers and demand, some kindergartens may allow your child to start early. Check with your preferred kindergarten.

Can my child repeat a year of three-year-old kindergarten?

No, children will move from three-year-old kindergarten to four-year-old kindergarten in the following year.

If you or the educators still hold concerns about your child’s development, a second year of four-year-old kindergarten can be considered.

Why do the number of funded hours differ between kindergartens?

Funded three-year-old kindergarten is new and will gradually be rolled out by the State Government over the next few years.  Most kindergarten services already offer 15 hours of funded three-year-old kindergarten, and some are working towards that and may offer less hours. To find out more about what kindergartens offer, view our map above which includes timetable information or alternatively you can download the timetable(PDF, 172KB).

Will I be guaranteed a place at the same kindergarten my child attends three-year-old?

You only need to submit one registration form for three and four-year-old kindergarten, however places are allocated separately.

Every effort will be made to place children at the same kindergarten for both years.

Can my child repeat four-year-old kindergarten?

Yes, if your child meets the Victorian Government’s criteria for a second year of four-year-old kindergarten, and it is supported by the educators. 

What if my child hasn’t attended three-year-old kindergarten, can I still register for a place in four-year-old?

Yes.

How much does kindergarten cost?

The Victorian Government has announced that kindergarten will be free for eligible children attending a participating service.

Children can access fifteen hours per week for a four year old program, and between five and fifteen hours per week for a three year old program for free. Additional hours offered by a service are optional and will incur a fee.

You can email us at kindergartenenrolment@kingston.vic.gov.au or get in touch with your kindergarten directly for more information.

Can my child attend more than one funded kindergarten program?

No. Only one service can claim kindergarten funding for your child each year.

More information about kindergarten funding is available from the Department of Education.

What is Early Start Kindergarten?

Early Start Kindergarten provides up to 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten to eligible three-year-old children where the programs are offered by a qualified teacher.

You can email us at kindergartenenrolment@kingston.vic.gov.au or get in touch with your kindergarten directly for more information.

Where can I get more information?

More information about kindergarten funding is available from the Victorian Government's quick kinder guide.

For more information about the kindergarten registration process or to provide us with feedback please contact the Kindergarten Central Registration Team on 9581 4851.