Kindergarten (preschool)

Kindergarten registrations open on 1 February.

You can submit a kindergarten registration from 1 February:

• one year before your child is eligible to attend Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, or
• two years before your child is eligible to attend Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.

We recommend registering for Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten at the same time.

To be included in the first-round offer process, your registration should be submitted before 30 June in the year before your child attends kindergarten. The date you apply does not give you higher priority, as long as your registration is received before 30 June.

When your child starts kindergarten relates to the age they will start primary school. When enrolling into Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, we encourage you to plan ahead and consider the age you would like your child to be when they start school. Once a child starts Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, their education journey has commenced with an expectation of moving into Four-Year-Old Kindergarten the following year and then school the year after.

To help you make an informed decision about your child's readiness, refer to the Department of Education for information about when to start kindergarten. You should also talk to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or contact a member of our Preschool Registrations Team on 9433 3161.

When your child starts kindergarten relates to the age they will start primary school. When enrolling into Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, we encourage you to plan ahead and consider the age you would like your child to be when they start school. Once a child starts Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, their education journey has commenced with an expectation of moving into Four-Year-Old Kindergarten the following year and then school the year after.

Currently, children meeting the eligibility requirements can access an additional year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, but not Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.

From 2026, children meeting the eligibility requirements due to their learning and development needs can access an additional year of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten or an additional year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, but not both.

Some children are eligible for a second year of funded kindergarten.  A repeat four-year-old year or 'second funded year' occurs where a child is assessed by the teacher or another early childhood professional as having delayed development identified in two or more areas and has been approved as eligible for a second year of funded kindergarten by the Department of Education.

Where a child is not approved as eligible for a second year of funded kindergarten the expectation is that the child will progress to primary school the following year.

Currently, children meeting the eligibility requirements can access an additional year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, but not Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.

From 2026, children meeting the eligibility requirements due to their learning and development needs can access an additional year of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten or an additional year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, but not both.

Self Funding: As kindergarten places are limited, self-funded places to repeat a year are not available.

Early Start Kindergarten is available in all kindergarten programs delivered by a qualified teacher. You can enrol your child by contacting a member of the Preschool Registrations team on 9433 3161.

To be eligible, your child must be three years old 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 or low cost Four-Year-Old Kindergarten through the Early Start Kindergarten Extension Grant.

Koorie Kids Shine

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can learn about the benefits of kindergarten, including how services create culturally safe places for Koorie children and families, and how to enrol in a kindergarten program for three-and four-year-old children through Koorie Kids Shine.

Application fee

From 1 February 2024, preschool applications made through our central registration system will not incur an application fee.

Program (term) fees

Children enrolled into Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten at a preschool service in Nillumbik's central registration scheme receive 15-hours of funded kindergarten per week. 

Some of our preschool services offer optional extended care hours in addition to the free 15-hour program. These extended care hours incur fees that are set at the service's discretion, in consultation with their community, and are not subject to funded kindergarten fee policies. Additional extended care hours are advertised alongside the funded program timetable on the preschool service's website.

Timetables

Each preschool service sets their own timetables and group session times. Timetables are advertised on preschool websites from June the year before your child will attend kindergarten. Find your nearest preschool and their timetable information by using our interactive family services map.

Where a preschool service operates more than one group session, families will have the opportunity to 'apply' for their preferred session at the time of enrolment (your preschool service will send this information to you after you have accepted a place at their service). Fine out more about the offer process.

Preschool services operate in line with school term dates and holidays in Victoria which can be viewed on the Victorian Department of Education website.

Yes. Nillumbik is bordered by Banyule, Manningham and Whittlesea. If you live close to the municipal boundary you can register to attend kindergarten at a preschool service in multiple councils.

Registrations need to be made directly to the relevant council:

• Banyule City Council
• City of Whittlesea
• Manningham Council 

Nillumbik Shire Council welcomes families from neighbouring councils to apply for kindergarten within our Shire.

Preschool places are allocated in accordance with the Department of Education priority of access and the selection criteria set out in Council’s Priority of Access. These guidelines are used to ensure all allocations to 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten through the Preschool Registration Scheme are fair and equitable.

In the event that registrations exceed places available, the central registration system will randomly allocate positions at each of the Priority Status levels.

With the introduction of funded kindergarten, we anticipate an increase in registrations for our preschool services which may result in more applications than available places. Families who do not receive a preschool offer will have the option to remain on a waitlist and the Preschool Registrations team will contact you if a place becomes available. We understand this can be an anxious time for families and appreciate your patience as we work with you towards securing a placement for your child.