Quick guide for parents

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How kinder works

Kindergarten programs in Victoria

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Your child can go to kinder at the age of 3 or 4, and it's available in various settings:

Standalone services: These run Kinder programs on specific days and at set times, determined by the kinder 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.

No matter where your child goes to kinder, qualified teachers and educators will lead the program.

Standalone kindergarten - children attend kindergarten programming for set days and hours

Long day care services have two parts: kindergarten programs that children attend as part of their time in long day care, and education and care for children aged between 0 and 6 years.

When to start

Use the starting age calculator to enter your child's birth date to find out what year they can start Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.

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 3, or in the year they turn 4 years of age.
Due to staffing requirements, some services may ask that children start attending kinder only after their third birthday. This may mean that some children may not start attending their kinder program until part-way into Term 1.
When your child starts at kindergarten directly relates to the age they will start at primary school. When enrolling at Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, we encourage families to consider the age they would like their child to start at school.
Speak to your local services about the best time for your child to start at Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.
There are a few things you need to know when making this decision:
- Kinder services are required to have a different ratio of staff to children, this will vary depending on the children's ages.
- Some services might not have the number of staff needed to accommodate 2-year-olds. For these services, your child must have turned 3 before they can attend.
- If your child turns 3 by 30 April and you would like them to start kinder that year, you can still enrol your child. Services will hold your child's place until they are old enough to attend.
If you have any questions, contact your local kinder service.
Services can contact 3yo.kindergarten@education.vic.gov.au for more information.

Pre-Prep Calculator

Use the Pre-Prep calculator to find out if your child is eligible to attend Pre-Prep and when they can start.

Before you start, you need to know your local council.

How to choose a kinder

Choosing a kinder that is right for your family is important. Learn tips and information about How to choose a kindergarten.

Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program hours

Three-Year-Old Kinder programs are for between 5 and 15 hours. Different hours available for Three-Year-Old programs gives you more choice in session times.

Some services have shorter session times, which might suit families with older children at school. Longer hours may work better for other families.

Free Kinder

Free Kinder is available in Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs across Victoria at participating services. This includes both standalone and long day care services.

Families with children enrolled in a participating standalone kinder receive a free program.

Families with children enrolled in a participating long day care receive a fee offset. If your child is enrolled in a Three-Year-Old Kinder program of less than 15 hours, you will receive a pro-rata fee offset amount directly from the Victorian Government so you are not out of pocket.

Find out more about Free Kinder.

Benefits of kinder

Let your child learn through play! Studies show that play-based learning is a great way for kids to grow and develop. The benefits of this approach last through their whole life and include:

educational
social
emotional benefits.

Learn more about the benefits of kinder at Benefits of kinder.

See what kinder is like

Experience a day in kinder, where learning through play makes every day a new adventure.

Make Everyday A New Adventure

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The best start for every Victorian child

The Victorian Government’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are the most significant change to Victoria’s early childhood sector in a generation.

This means:

Free Kinder: All 3- and 4-year-old children in Victoria can access Free Kinder. This is available at both standalone (sessional) kindergartens and long day care (childcare) centres.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten: The roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten continues, with programs increasing to 15 hours a week across the state by 2029, providing Victorian children with 2 years of a quality kindergarten program before school.
Pre-Prep: Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep from 2025. This will increase to a 30-hour-a-week program of teacher-led play by 2036.

A young Koorie girl smiles with her hands on her hips, on a yellow background.

The Best Start, Best Life reforms

Learn more about the changes to early childhood education in Victoria, including Free Kinder, Pre-Prep, Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.

Updated 6 June 2025