If you have a 2- or 3-year-old child, now’s the time to think about starting kindergarten.
Kindergarten programs, also called kinder, are free in Victoria for 3- and 4-year-olds at participating sessional kinders.
Or if your child goes to a kinder program in a long day care centre, up to $2,000 will be deducted from your yearly fees.
Kinder programs at long day care centres and sessional kinders both offer quality programs led by a qualified teacher.
Two years of kinder before school is an opportunity to boost your child’s learning, development and well-being.
While they play, make friends and have fun.
So, what do kinder programs look like for next year?
Three-Year-Old Kinder programs are between five and 15 hours each week.
With different hours available, session times may vary.
There are services that offer shorter session times, which might suit some families, while longer hours may work better for other families.
Four-Year-Old Kinder provides 15 hours each week.
From 2025, this will start to increase to 30 hours as Four-Year-Old Kinder transitions to Pre-Prep over the next decade.
Pre-Prep will start in six local government areas in 2025, with more areas being added each year.
Aboriginal children, children from a refugee background, and families who have had contact with Child Protection services will be eligible for Pre-Prep from 2026, no matter where they live. See the website for full details of the roll-out.
It’s an exciting time in early childhood education in Victoria!
Use the ‘Find a Kinder’ website to help you find kinders nearby. You could go to an open day.
If you need assistance enrolling, have a chat to your local council or kinder.
We’re all here to help!
And want to see as many children in kinder as possible, because …
Two years of kinder before school gives children the best start in life.
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