The Victorian Government is investing almost $5 billion over the decade to introduce universal funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten – and it’s now available across the state.
This means that all Victorian children can go to Three-Year-Old Kindergarten for 2 years.
Taking part in a quality kindergarten program from the age of 3 boosts children’s learning, development, health and wellbeing outcomes.
Young children learn about the world around them through play
Young children learn best by playing. At Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, children can build their language skills and learn about numbers. Children will also learn how to share, listen and get along with others. Kindergarten can also be called kinder.
All children in Victoria have access to 2 years of funded kindergarten
From 2022, all Victorian children can access funded kinder for 5 hours per week. By 2029, all Victorian children can access funded kinder for 15 hours per week.
Teachers and educators lead kinder programs
Children can go to kinder at a standalone kinder or long day care.
Young children learn by playing.
They learn how to share, listen and get along with others.
In kinder, children can build their language skills and learn about numbers.
Teachers and educators help children become curious, creative and confident.
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- Standalone kinder
- Kindergarten programs - Children go here on set days and times
- Long day care
- Kindergarten programs - Children go to Kinder here as part of long daycare
- Education and care - Long daycare is for children between 0 and 6 years old
All funded kinders must meet safety and quality guidelines set by the Victorian Government.
Long daycare offers a full day of paid care and a funded kinder program.
A standalone kinder only runs on set days and times.
You can decide what works best for you and your family.
- Standalone kinder
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You can visit your local kinder to see how it works. This webpage can also help: How to choose a kindergarten
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You can enrol your child one year before kinder starts. It’s good to start thinking about it when your child turns 2 years old.
You can choose when the child starts kinder.
If your child was born between 1 January and 30 April they can go to kinder in the year they turn 3 years old or in the year they turn 4 years old.
Children may not be able to attend until they turn 3 in programs where the service is unable to meet the educator to child ratio for children who are 2 years of age.
If your child was born between 1 May and 31 December they can go to kinder in the year they turn 4 years old.
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Date child is born Comments 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 From 21 Dec 2016 to 30 April 2017
Your child can start school in 2022 or 2023 Three-Year-Old
KindergartenFour-Year-Old
KindergartenPrep Grade 1 Grade 2 Three-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Four-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Prep Grade 1 From 1 May to 20 Dec 2017* Three-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Four-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Prep Grade 1 From 21 Dec 2017 to 30 April 2018 Your child can start school in 2023 or 2024 Three-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Four-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Prep Grade 1 Three-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Four-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Prep
From 1 May to 20 Dec 2018* Three-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Four-Year-Old
Kindergarten
Prep * Please discuss this date with your child’s school
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- Your local kinder or long daycare
- Your local council
- Your maternal and child care nurse
- Call Parentline on 13 22 89 Parentline is part of the Department of Health (DH)
- Email 3yo.kindergarten@education.vic.gov.au
Go to: Three-Year-Old Kindergarten
Reviewed 07 February 2022