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 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.
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Development guide
Provides guidance and resources to establish, improve, or expand an existing CRES.
- Kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment Development Guide (PDF,
- Kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment Development Guide (DOCX,
Templates and resources
- A.1 - Discussion paper template (DOCX, - To begin to build support for the CRES among internal stakeholders and get permission from management to develop a stakeholder engagement template and business case.
- A.2 - Stakeholder engagement plan template (DOCX, - To guide the stakeholder engagement strategy as the CRES is being established and during ongoing delivery.
- A.3 - Promotional materials for service providers and peak bodies (DOCX, - To encourage all service types to participate in CRES with transparency around any service fees for scheme participation where applicable, reducing fees for community service organisations that have an active social purpose to support disadvantaged families and carers.
- A.4 - Letter of Intent template (DOCX, - For service providers to indicate their intent to participate in a prospective CRES and strengthen a potential business case.
- A.5 - Research plan template (DOCX, - To guide the research that will inform the business case and development of the CRES.
- A.6 - Business case template (DOCX, - The formal case to put to council's executive team that aims to secure a policy commitment to the CRES.
- A.7 - Website content template (DOCX, - To guide the structure of the CRES web page and provide draft content for the page.
- A.8 - Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template (DOCX, - A formal agreement between the CRES Provider and CRES Partners to support the CRES.
- A.9 - Suggested clauses for inclusion in service level agreements (DOCX, - Draft clauses to include in lease/service agreements that require service providers to join the CRES.
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Practice guide
A detailed annual process for operating a best practice scheme, including communication materials for families and service providers, and relevant forms and templates.
- Kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment Practice Guide (PDF,
- Kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment Practice Guide (DOCX,
Templates and resources
- Appendix A.1 - Promotional material for families and carers(DOCX,
- Appendix A.2 - CRES fact sheet for families and carers (1-page landscape) (PPTX,
- Appendix A.3 - CRES fact sheet for families and carers (2-page potrait) (PPTX,
- Appendix B - Information for CRES Partners template (DOCX,
- Appendix C - Referral form template (DOCX,
- Appendix D - Registration form template (DOCX,
- Appendix E - Service provider session time request template (DOCX,
- Appendix F - Data transfer template – CRES provider to service
- Appendix G - Draft family and carer communications pack (DOCX,
- Appendix H - Enrolment form template (DOCX,
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Self-assessment tool
A self-reflective tool for CRES providers to to understand demand in their area, the capability and maturity of the CRES, and to identify areas to improve.
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
Reviewed 16 March 2022