JavaScript is required

Kindergarten Sector Guide

Key information about the Best Start, Best Life reforms, and the support available for children to access and participate in kindergarten programs.

Published by:
Department of Education
Date:
3 Dec 2025

The new kindergarten year marks an exciting time for children and the early childhood education sector. Thousands of children will be starting Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, and a further 12 local government areas (LGAs) will start to deliver Pre-Prep, following a successful launch in 6 LGAs in 2025.

The Best Start, Best Life reforms are the most significant change to Victoria's early childhood sector in a generation. There will be many exciting milestones over the life of the reforms, including a growing workforce and record infrastructure investment.

With all that is happening, the Department of Education has developed this resource with key information about early childhood education in Victoria. This guide will be updated for the start of each year so you can stay up to date on the reforms.

How to use this guide

The guide is for service directors and managers, teachers and educators. It includes key information about the Best Start, Best Life reforms, and the support available for children to access and participate in kindergarten programs.

The content in this guide can be used on websites, social media and newsletters and to help respond to questions from staff and families.

For up-to-date information about the range of funding that is available, eligibility criteria and the obligations and accountability in receiving funding, refer to the Kindergarten Funding Guide(opens in a new window).

Where we are now – 2026

  • Free Kinder continues to be available
  • Three-Year-Old Kindergarten continues to be delivered, with services offering programs between 5 and 15 hours
  • Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep, with hours gradually increasing from 15 to 30 hours a week
  • A further 12 local government areas (LGAs) will start to deliver Pre-Prep, following a successful launch in 6 LGAs in 2025
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from a refugee or asylum seeker background, and children who have had contact with Child Protection services have statewide access to 16 to 25 hours per week of Pre-Prep
  • This includes children who were supported by Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning in their Three-Year-Old Kindergarten Year
  • 18 Victorian Government-owned early learning and childcare centres will provide over 1,800 licensed places for local children and families
  • Service providers that receive kindergarten funding will use Arrival for mandatory kindergarten data reporting. All sessional services will report attendance data to the Department of Education via the Arrival digital sign in and out functionality or through a third-party provider where the data will flow automatically into Arrival.

Resources

Updated

Back to top