Kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment

Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES)

Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) - previously known as 'Central Enrolment' - is a best practice model for local councils and other organisations to support families and carers to secure a kindergarten place for their child.

CRES provides a single point for families to apply for multiple kindergarten services within a local government area, helping them secure a place that meets their needs.

It also encourages closer links between Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services, family support services, kindergartens and councils, to improve the early identification and engagement of children who need more support to access kindergarten.

The model was developed through a co-design process with councils, kindergarten service providers, Early Years Managers, MCH, community organisations, early childhood peak bodies and other support services.

The CRES model is underpinned by six principles that promote consistent, inclusive and equitable access for families, service providers and support services. This is supported by practical guides, tools and templates which can be easily adopted and tailored to each councils' circumstance.

The Central Enrolment Project

The 'Central Enrolment Project' has been established, in partnership with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), to roll out the $5.5 million budget commitment over four years as outlined in the Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan, to support councils to adopt, expand and enhance central enrolment across Victoria.

A Central Enrolment Working Group (CEWG), with broad council representation and central enrolment expertise is supporting the implementation of the project, helping to ensure that the project builds on the excellent work done by many councils over a long period of time to develop strong central enrolment processes.

Vision for central registration and enrolment

The overarching vision for centralised registration and enrolment in Victoria is:

• families and carers experience a smoother pathway to enrol in and attend kindergarten, by encouraging more local government areas and funded kindergarten programs to be part of a CRES
• vulnerable and disengaged families are identified early and proactively engaged and enrolled in funded kindergarten programs, by working in collaboration with MCH and other community and support services
• kindergarten places are allocated in a transparent, consistent and equitable way, and in line with our Priority of Access criteria
• we work in partnership with councils and early years services to better respond to the needs of the community, through the collection of accurate, consistent and timely kindergarten data, to monitor and proactively manage capacity and utilisation of services.

Support for councils: grants

Central registration and enrolment grants

To support councils to establish, improve and operate schemes across Victoria, we offer one-off and ongoing grants.

Development grants

Nearly $2 million in development grant funding has been provided to 60 councils across Victoria to support the establishment of new schemes; expanding an existing scheme; or enhancing aspects of a scheme (such as improved identification and enrolment of vulnerable children, or improved technology solutions).

In 2020, the Development Grants are targeted to councils looking to establish a scheme, and to adapt existing schemes to support the introduction of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2022.

Applications close on 10 December 2020.

For further information, email: early.years.participation@education.vic.gov.au.

Administrative support grants

Ongoing funding is available to eligible councils to contribute to the administrative costs of running a central enrolment scheme. In 2019, 46 councils received administrative support funding.

The 2020 Administrative Support Grant data collection and funding process will begin in late 2020. Councils will be contacted directly.

Support for councils: best practice guides and resources

These CRES guides and resources provide a consistent and transparent model that councils can easily adopt and tailor to their circumstance.

Further information

For further information about the Central Enrolment Project, contact

• Early Years Management and Partnerships Unit, email: early.years.participation@education.vic.gov.au
• Municipal Association of Victoria, email: humanservices@mav.asn.au