Preschool (Kindergarten)

Preschool applications open on 1 February.

You can submit a preschool application from 1 February:

• one year before your child is eligible to attend 3-year-old preschool or
• two years before your child is eligible to attend 4-year-old preschool.

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

To view the specific dates that apply to your child based on their date of birth, use our preschool dates calculator above.

Your child must have had their third birthday before they start attending 3-year-old preschool.

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April

You have a choice - your child can start 3-year-old preschool in the year they turn three, or in the year they turn four.

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April, and are starting 3-year-old preschool in the year they turn three, they may not be able to attend preschool until they have their third birthday. This is will depend on the individual preschool service and whether or not they are able to meet the educator-to-child ratio for children who are two years of age. Please contact the preschool directly for more information.

If your child is born between 1 May and 31 December

Your child will start 3-year-old preschool in the year after their third birthday.

To view the specific dates that apply to your child based on their date of birth, use our preschool dates calculator above.

No, children will move from 3-year-old kindergarten to 4-year-old kindergarten in the following year.

If you or the early childhood teacher still hold concerns about your child’s development, a second year of four-year-old kindergarten can be considered. 

Your child should attend 4-year-old preschool in the year before they start attending school. 

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April

You have a choice - your child can start 4-year-old preschool in the year they turn four, or in the year they turn five.

If your child is born between 1 May and 31 December

Your child will start 4-year-old preschool in the year after they turn four.

To view the specific dates that apply to your child based on their date of birth, use our preschool dates calculator above.

If a child has displayed a delay in key outcome areas of learning and development, the possibility of a second year of 4-year-old preschool may be considered.

The early childhood teacher will determine the child's eligibility for a second year of 4-year-old preschool. 

For more information, please refer to our Priority of Access and Offer Policy Guidelines(PDF, 454KB) and/or speak to your child's preschool teacher.

The Victorian Department of Education has resources to help you decide when your child should begin kindergarten. 

Your child may be able to start 4-year-old kindergarten early for two reasons:

1. They qualify for the Victorian Government's Early Start Kindergarten program (ESK).
2. They are considered a gifted child.

Application fee

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

Program (term) fees

From 2023 onwards, the Victorian State Government has announced that free kinder will be available for both 3 and 4-year-old preschool programs at participating services in sessional settings, and in long day care services offering a funded preschool program.

Timetables

Each preschool service sets their own timetables and session times. Please visit the website or call the individual service to find out further information. 

You can find future kindergarten term dates on the Victorian Department of Education website.

Find your nearest preschool and their contact details using our interactive family services map.

Yes. Nillumbik is bordered by Banyule, Manningham and Whittlesea. If you live close to the municipal boundary you can apply for preschools within multiple councils.

Applications need to be made directly to the relevant council:

• Banyule City Council
• City of Whittlesea
• Manningham Council (does not have a centralised enrolment system, so preschools must be contacted directly)

Find out more about the preschool offer process.

The Priority Of Access policy will be applied.

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