Talk to your local council or kindergarten service about the enrolment process. You can also call the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten Enquiry Line on 1800 338 663 or email 3YO.kindergarten@education.vic.gov.au. For support in your language or to get an interpreter, call 131 450 first.
Early Start Kindergarten (ESK)
Children from a refugee or asylum seeker background can access additional supports and receive priority of access to kindergarten through Early Start Kindergarten. You can ask your local service about Early Start Kindergarten when you are enrolling your child or visit Early Start Kindergarten for more information.
When to enrol
In Victoria, you can start children in a kinder program when they are 3 years old. You can enter your child’s birthdate in the Starting Age Calculator to find out what year they can start Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten or Pre-Prep.
If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April you can choose which year they start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. Your child can start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in the same year they turn 3, or in the year they turn 4 years of age. If your child starts Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in the year they turn 3 they will then start school in the year they turn 5. If you choose to send your child to Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in the year they turn 4, they will start school in the year they turn 6.
Find a kinder program
To find services offering approved kinder programs, visit the find a kinder program website. Your local council and kindergarten services can also help you find a place in kindergarten.
Look for the Kinder Tick
The Kinder Tick helps Victorian families find an approved kinder program for their children.
Look for the Kinder Tick logo at your local kindergarten service, on the service or centre’s building or grounds, on their website or in their information materials.
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