We operate a central registration system for two years of funded kindergarten for three-year-old and four-year-old children at 14 community-based kindergartens in Glen Eira.
Kindergarten update
In Victoria children can attend 2 years of funded kindergarten, also known as kinder, for 2 years before starting school.
Program options
Kindergarten programs are offered through long day care centres, standalone kindergartens, early learning centres, and schools. You can choose the option that best suits your child and family.
- Standalone (community-based) kindergartens: These kinder programs are run on specific days and at set times, determined by the service.
- Long day care services: These provide a full day of education and care, complete with a kinder program. The teacher-led kinder program is seamlessly integrated with additional hours of education and care.
Kinder is now free at participating sessional (standalone) kindergartens and a fee offset is available in long day care services.
Additional levies and charges may be set by individual services this may include a non-refundable deposit or administration fee. Contact services individually for more information.
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.
Participating Stand-alone Community-based kindergartens
If you are interested in arranging a tour, please contact the kindergarten directly.
When to 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.
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.
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 enrolled in three-year-old kindergarten will typically move on to four-year-old kindergarten the following year. You will register for 3 and four year old kinder at the same time.
Some children may be eligible to access one additional year of either 3- or 4-year-old kindergarten. This decision is made in consultation with the kindergarten, families and the Department of Education. For further information parents are encouraged to refer to the Factsheet for Parents.
Refer to the table below to guide as to which year your child should attend.
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.
From 2026, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as eligible vulnerable children, will be able to access between 16 and 30 hours per week of funded four-year-old kindergarten. Vulnerable children include those from a refugee or asylum seeker background, and children who have had contact with Child Protection services.
Children enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten will typically move on to school the following year.
Some children may be eligible to access one additional year of either 3- or 4-year-old kindergarten. This decision is made in consultation with the kindergarten, families and the Department of Education. For further information parents are encouraged to refer to the Factsheet for Parents.
Refer to the table below to guide as to which year your child should attend.
Before you register
We encourage parents to attend their child's 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
Registrations are open all year. However, our main registration period runs from 1 to 7 May.
Please note: a separate registration must be completed for each child.
| Date of birth | Registrations open from 1 May | Attend three-year-old Kindergarten | Attend four-year-old Kindergarten |
| 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021 | Open | 2025 complete online form | |
| 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 | Open | 2025 complete online form | 2026 complete online form |
| 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023 | Open | 2026 complete online form | 2027 complete online form |
If you are unsure if you have previously registered contact us on 03 9524 3333.
How Kindergarten Places Are Allocated
Glen Eira City Council’s Central Registration Scheme manages the allocation of funded kindergarten places on behalf of 14 participating community-based services.
Important Information
- Registration does not guarantee a place in three- or four-year-old kindergarten due to high demand.
- Where demand exceeds places available, registrations will be balloted.
- Allocations follow the Department of Education Priority of Access guidelines and Council’s Local Area Criteria.
- Where possible, registrations receive between 1-7 May will be prioritised.
Offer Process
- Offers begin in June, the year before your child attends kindergarten.
- The main offer period concludes at the end of July.
- Places are allocated according to the Kindergarten Central Registration Scheme Policy.
- If your priority is based on living, working, or studying in Glen Eira, you may need to provide supporting evidence.
- Families can accept, cancel or transfer the registration to the following year (if applicable)
Waitlist and Group Allocation
- If there are more registrations than available places, Glen Eira City Council will maintain a waitlist.
- Families who receive an offer will be contacted by the kindergarten with details about:
- Timetables
- Group allocations
- The enrolment process
- Please note: Glen Eira City Council does not decide which group your child will be placed in. This is managed by the individual kindergarten including the days offered. Some kindergarten offers Saturdays as part of the timetable.
Priority of access criteria first year (three-year-old kindergarten)
These criteria must be used when prioritising first year registrations.
This applies to a child who is approved for a second year of funded three-year-old kindergarten*.
Department of Education - High priority children**
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. Asylum seeker and refugee children.
Children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
- A child or parent holds a Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card,
Veteran’s Affairs Card, or - multiple birth children(triplets or quadruplets).
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 an identified specific disability or developmental delay.
Local Area Criteria
A resident that has two (or more) children registering for places in three- and four-year-old kindergarten respectively at the same kindergarten service in the same year.
A child/ren of a resident of Glen Eira.
A non-resident of Glen Eira who works or studies in Glen Eira and has two (or more) children registering for places in three- and four-year-old kindergarten respectively at the same kindergarten
A child/ren of a non-resident of Glen Eira who works or studies in Glen Eira.
A non-resident of Glen Eirawho has two (or more) children registering for places in three- and four-year-old kindergarten respectively at the same kindergarten service in the same year.
Any other child.
*Eligible children can access up to three years of funded kindergarten.
**High priority child applications will be accepted and prioritised at any time.
Priority of access criteria second year (four-year-old kindergarten)
These criteria must be used when prioritising second year registrations.
This applies to a child who is approved for a second year of funded four-year-old kindergarten*.
Department of Education - High priority children**
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. Asylum seeker and refugee children.
Children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
- A child or parent holds a Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card,
Veteran’s Affairs Card, or - multiple birthchildren(triplets orquadruplets).
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 an identified specific disability or developmental delay.
Local Area Criteria
A resident who has current three-year-old child registering for a place in a four-year-old program at the same service.
A child/ren of a resident of Glen Eira. A child/ren of a resident of Glen Eira.
A non-resident of Glen Eira who works or studies in Glen Eira who has a current three-year-old child registering for a place in a four-year-old program at the same service.
A non-resident of Glen Eira who has a current three-year-old child registering for a place in a four-year-old program at the same service.
A child/ren of a non-resident of Glen Eira who works or studies in Glen Eira.
Any other child.
*Eligible children can access up to three years of funded kindergarten.
**High priority child applications will be accepted and prioritised at any time.
Additional kindergarten information
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, Victoria
- Kindergarten information for families — Victorian Government
- Find A Kinder Program — Department of Education, Victoria
- Starting Blocks — Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
Apply or change your kindergarten registration
You can apply for kindergarten or update your existing registration using the buttons below.
- Register now: Start a new registration for your child.
- Change of registration: Update your contact details, change your kindergarten preferences, or cancel your registration.
Important: If you change your kindergarten preference without changing your address, the date you make the change will be used as your new registration .
