Kindergarten

Kindergarten programs are delivered in both long day care and standalone services.

You can choose what works best for your family and child — the kindergarten programs share the same learning outcomes. All funded kindergarten programs in Victoria are led by a qualified early childhood teacher and offer a play-based learning program based on the same government guidelines. You have the option of using privately managed children's services, early learning centres and schools.

Participating Community-based kindergartens

When should my child attend kindergarten?

Families with children born between 1 January and 30 April need to make an informed decision about which year they would like their child to commence school and therefore which year their child will attend a kindergarten program.

Three-year-old kindergarten

To be eligible to attend three-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn three by 30 April in the year they attend kindergarten.

Children accessing three-year-old kindergarten will transition to four-year-old kindergarten the following year. No children will be eligible for a second year of funded 3-year-old kindergarten. If children need a third year of kindergarten and meet the criteria, they will do this at the end of the 4-year-old kindergarten year, prior to the transition to school.

To register your child for three-year-old kindergarten at one of the 15 Community-based kindergartens complete an online application.

Four-year-old kindergarten

To be eligible to attend four-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn four years of age by 30 April in the year they attend kindergarten.

If you are unsure which year your child should attend kindergarten, talk to your local kindergarten educator, an educator in a long daycare centre or your Maternal and Child Health nurse.

To register your child for four-year-old kindergarten at one of the 15 Community-based kindergartens listed below complete an online application

Refer to the table below to guide as to which year your child should attend.

Before you register your child

We encourage your child to complete their Key Ages and Stages visits at a Maternal and Child Health Centre.

Your child must be vaccinated, and their immunisations recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register. To find out more visit Immunising your child. 

When to register your child

A separate registration needs to be completed for each child.

There is a $54.50 non-refundable registration fee and no charge for concession card holders when registering for both three and four-year-old kindergarten.

There is a $28.00 non-refundable registration fee and no charge for concession card holders when registering for four-year-old kindergarten only.

If you are unsure if you have previously registered contact us on 03 9524 3333.

How we make offers

Glen Eira City Council Central Registration Scheme administers the allocation of funded kindergarten places on behalf of 15 participating community-based services.

First round offers are due to go out in June of the year before you child attends kindergarten, with second round offers occurring in July.

Allocations are made in accordance with the Kindergarten Central Registration Scheme Policy Kindergarten Central Registration Scheme Policy. If the priority of access is based on the criteria of “live, work or study in Glen Eira”, you may be required to provide evidence.

Where there are more registrations than places available Glen Eira City Council will maintain a waitlist. Families who are offered a place will receive communication from the relevant kindergarten regarding the timetable, group allocations and the enrolment process. Glen Eira Council does not determine which group your child will be allocated to once offered a place. Timetables and scheduling are managed by the participating kindergarten.

Families should note that registration does not guarantee a three- or four-year-old placement due to increasing demand for kindergarten services.

We follow the Department of Education and Training Priority of Access Criteria and give preference to children who:

Priority of access criteria first year (three-year-old kindergarten)

These criteria must be used when prioritising first year (three-year-old) registrations:

1. The child’s situation:
   • Child at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in Out-of-Home Care
   • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
   • Asylum seeker and refugee children
   • Children eligible for Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
   • Children with additional needs, defined as children who:
     • Require additional assistance in order to fully participate in the kindergarten program
     • Require a combination of services which are individually planned
     • Have identified specific disability of developmental delay
2. A child/ren of a resident of Glen Eira
3. A child/ren of those who work or study in Glen Eira
4. Date application is received by Council
5. Any other child

Priority of access criteria second year (four-year-old kindergarten)

These criteria must be used when prioritising second year (four-year-old) registrations:

Children who are approved for a second year of funded four-year-old kindergarten

1. The child’s situation:
   • Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in Out-of-Home Care
   • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
   • Asylum seeker and refugee children
   • Children eligible for Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
   • Children with additional needs, defined as children who
     • Require additional assistance in order to fully participate in the kindergarten program
     • Require a combination of services which are individually planned
     • Have identified specific disability or developmental delay
2. A current three-year-old child registering for a place in a four-year-old program at the same service who live in Glen Eira
3. A child/ren of a resident of Glen Eira
4. Date application is received by Council
5. A current three-year-old child registering for a place in a four-year old program at the same service, whose parent/carer works or studies in Glen Eira
6. A current three-year-old child registering for a place in a four-year old program at the same service, who does not live, work or study in Glen Eira
7. Any other child

How much does it cost? 

The government subsidises three and four-year-old kindergarten, all children are eligible for a funded program two years before they start school.

Each service sets its own fee and you should contact them individually for more information.

Are there places available?

To find out if there are places available, contact us on 03 9524 3333

Contact the kindergartens directly for a tour.

About kindergarten

Kindergarten is an important part of your child's development. To find out how to choose the right education and care options for your family, visit:

• Learning and development support and services for all Victorians — Department of Education and Training, Victoria
• Kindergarten information for families — Victorian Government
• Find A Kinder Program — Department of Education and Training, Victoria
• Starting Blocks — Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)   

Apply or change your enrolment

Apply now using the button below. Or use the Change of Enrolment button to change your contact details, kindergarten preferences, or cancel your enrolment. 

If you change your kindergarten preference without a change of address, we will take the date you changed your preference as the date of registration.