ENROLMENT OVERVIEW
CPSG offers 15 hours of funded kindergarten for three and four-year-old children who are eligible to attend kindergarten.
Before proceeding to registration, we recommend you read the following important information.
kindergarten eligibility
Three-year-old kindergarten
Your child is eligible to enrol for three-year-old kindergarten if they turn age 3 by 30 April in the year of attendance. They must turn 3 years of age before they can commence at kindergarten.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD KINDERGARTEN
Your child is eligible to enrol in four-year-old kindergarten if they turn age 4 by 30 April in the year of attendance. They do not need to have attended a three-year-old kindergarten program prior.
IF YOUR CHILD WILL TURN 6 YEARS OF AGE
If your child will turn six years of age (compulsory school age) before or while attending their first or second year of funded kindergarten, you must obtain an exemption from attending school. Parents/guardians are responsible for seeking this exemption by applying to the Department of Education.
https://www.vic.gov.au/going-kindergarten-if-your-child-six-years-old
CAN MY CHILD ATTEND A THIRD YEAR OF KINDERGARTEN?
A second year of funded four-year-old kindergarten will only be considered when a child shows delays in learning and development outcome areas in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, and when:
- the kindergarten program is deemed to be the most appropriate learning program
- the child will achieve better outcomes at kindergarten than if they go to school.
It is not a parent’s choice for their child to attend an additional year.
A second-year assessment process is carried out for each child by an early childhood teacher when a second year is being considered.
PRIORITY OF ACCESS
In instances where more eligible children apply for a place at a service than there are places available, CPSG will prioritise children based on the criteria outlined in the Department of Education and Training’s Kindergarten Funding Guide and work with other local kindergarten services and the regional Department office to ensure all eligible children have access to a kindergarten place.
The priority of access assessment process determines which applicants are granted a “high priority” place in a specific kindergarten service and group.
IMMUNISATIONS
To have your child’s enrolment confirmed, you will need to provide:
- a current immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register
- the statement must show your child is up to date with all vaccinations that are due for their age, or they’re up to date with the vaccinations they’re able to receive.
This is known as ‘No Jab No Play’.
The immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register is the only document accepted for enrolments. Letters from GPs or local councils are not accepted.
You can find out more about ‘No Jab No Play’ on the Better Health Channel.
EARLY START KINDERGARTEN (ESK)
Early Start Kindergarten gives eligible children 15 hours of free kindergarten a week for 2 years before starting school.
To be eligible, your child must be 3 by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten, and:
- from a refugee or asylum seeker background, or
- identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or
- your family has had contact with child protection.
Children can also access free four-year-old kindergarten through the Early Start Kindergarten Extension Grant.
Watch the Early Start Kindergarten video.
KINDERGARTEN FOR ABORIGINAL CHILDREN
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can get up to 15 hours of free kindergarten each week.
Kindergartens work hard to create culturally safe places for Koorie children and families and include Aboriginal perspectives in the learning curriculum and environment.
You are encouraged to talk with your child’s teacher about your own cultures and beliefs, and how these can be incorporated into the activities at kindergarten.
Further information is available at Koori Kids Shine.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR 2023
If you are wishing to enrol your child in either three or four-year-old kindergarten for the remainder of 2023, please email [email protected] or call 5579 5920.
when should my child start kindergarten?
It is important to choose the right time for your child to start kindergarten.
Children are only eligible for one year of 3-year-old kindergarten and one year of 4-year-old kindergarten.
In line with school starting age, families with children born between January and April will have the choice of which year their child commences kindergarten. It is therefore recommended to consider what age you would like your child to commence Primary School and work backward.
Your decision can be critical with long reaching implications for your child. You may also wish to speak with kindergarten educators, your maternal and child health nurse or the Preschool Field Officer.
Should your child turn 3 between January and April in the year of commencement, you will be contacted by an Early Childhood Teacher or a CPSG staff member to discuss the options available.
FURTHER INFORMATION
