Kindergarten (also called preschool) is an educational program for children delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher in the two years before they start school.

Kindergarten is for all children. If your child has a disability or learning difficulty (requires support to access kindergarten), the educators will talk with you about how the program and environment can support your child.

Research shows that kindergarten improves children’s health and wellbeing and helps them to develop strong social skills and encourage a love of learning.

Children who go to a kindergarten program are more independent and confident and more likely to make a smooth transition to primary school.

Some kindergartens run as a stand-alone service and others are through child care centres or on school sites.

Three and four-year-old kindergarten is subsidised by the Victorian State Government to allow all children to attend for free.

From 2023 onwards, the Victorian State Government has announced that kindergarten will be free for all three and four year old children. From 1 February 2024 it is free to apply for kindergarten at City of Whittlesea kindergartens, subject to change.

We are working with kindergarten providers to cater for your family’s needs and manage capacity across our centres. This means three-year-old kindergarten hours will vary at different kindergartens, providing families with between 5 and 15 hours each week.

Kindergarten timetables for 2024 are available on Council’s website, but are subject to change. Most childcare centres also offer kindergarten programs, contact your local centre for details.

• Applications will open on 1 February for 3 year old kinder in 2025 and 4 year old kinder in 2026.
• You can apply for 3 and 4 year old kindergarten at the same time.
• There are new kindergartens opening in 2024: Murnong Kindergarten and 2025: Wollert Central Primary School Kindergarten.

Three-year-old kindergarten

Your child must turn three by 30 April in the year of attendance.

Four-year-old kindergarten

Your child must turn four by 30 April in the year of attendance.

• Some children are eligible for a second year of funded kindergarten. This second year is only available at four year old kindergarten and is approved by your child’s kindergarten teacher.

If your child was born between January and April you can choose which year to enrol your child: Either the year they become eligible or the year after.

Kindergartens in the City of Whittlesea are managed by volunteer parent management committees, schools or professional early childhood organisations.

Management bodies are registered with the Department of Education (DE) and monitored regularly to ensure quality and standards are maintained and funding conditions are met.

City of Whittlesea’s role is to:

• maintain Council’s facilities in which kindergarten programs are run
• manage a central application system for kindergartens in Council’s facilities
• support early childhood educators with professional development and service planning