How preschool places are allocated

Council manages preschool enrolments for the 15 preschools in the Nillumbik central registration system.

We allocate preschool places in a fair and equitable way - according to the Department of Education priority of access, and the selection criteria set out in our Preschool Priority of Access policy(PDF, 454KB). These criteria are summarised below or refer to the policy for more detail.

Note: Council's Preschool Priority of Access policy is currently undergoing a review. The outcome of this review will be advised prior to the close of registrations. Families who wish to change their registration in response to the outcome of the review will be able to do so prior to the close of registrations on 30 June. Contact the Preschool Registration team on 9433 3161 for queries regarding this review.

3-year-old preschool

Based on the applicant's first preference, places in 3-year-old preschool are allocated in the following priority order.

1. High priority children

Children who:

  • are at risk of abuse or neglect
  • are in out-of-home care
  • identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • have additional needs
  • are asylum seekers or refugees
  • are eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy.

2. Residents

Children who are (or are intending to be) Nillumbik residents, or children of Nillumbik ratepayers.

3. Non-residents with a connection to Nillumbik

Children who have a connection to Nillumbik - for example, parent/guardian working or studying in Nillumbik, a sibling who attended the same preschool in the last five years, or the preschool is the closest to the child's place of residence.

4. Non-residents

Children who are non-residents and do not have a connection to Nillumbik.

If all criteria are equal, remaining positions are allocated by computer-generated random selection.

4-year-old preschool

Based on the applicant's first preference, places in 4-year-old preschool are allocated in the following priority order.

1. High priority children

Children who:

  • are at risk of abuse or neglect
  • are in out-of-home care
  • identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • have additional needs
  • are asylum seekers or refugees
  • are eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy.

2. Residents who are already enrolled

Children who are (or are intending to be) Nillumbik residents or children of Nillumbik ratepayers and are already attending a 3-year-old program at the same preschool.

3. Non-residents who are already enrolled

Children who are not Nillumbik residents/ratepayers and are already attending a 3-year-old program at the same preschool.

4. Residents who are not enrolled

Children who are (or are intending to be) Nillumbik residents or children of Nillumbik ratepayers and are not already attending a 3-year-old program at the same preschool.

5. Non-residents with a connection to Nillumbik

Children who have a connection to Nillumbik - for example, parent or guardian working or studying in Nillumbik, a sibling who attended the same preschool in the last five years, or the preschool is the closest to the child's place of residence.

6. Non-residents

Children who are non-residents and do not have a connection to Nillumbik.

If all criteria are equal, remaining positions are allocated by computer-generated random selection.

Next steps

Apply for preschool

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