Enrolment

Four Year Old Kindergarten | funded

What is Kindergarten?

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 long day care centres or on school sites.

Four-year-old kindergarten is subsidised by the Victorian State Government to keep fees low and allow all children to attend.

You can apply for 4 year old kindergarten using either the online form or by downloading the application form.

You will be required to provide the following information:

1. Fill in your child’s details and nominate three kindergartens, in order of preference

If you are applying for 4 year old kindergarten in 2022 -2023 please nominate the three kindergartens in order of preference for both kindergarten years

2. Provide the following supporting documents:

• proof that you live in the City of Whittlesea (e.g. a copy of your current driver’s licence; rates notice; or telephone, gas, electricity or water bill). If you are a non-resident, provide proof of primary childcare and/or work arrangements within the municipality, (e.g. a signed Statutory Declaration)
• proof of child’s birth (eg. a copy of their birth certificate, passport or Immunisation History Statement)
• a copy of your Concession/Health Care Card/ Bridging Visa or other eligible exemption, if applicable
• if there is no exemption or concession a non-refundable application fee is payable of $23.50 for one year (either 3 or 4 year old kindergarten) or $45.00 for two years (both 3 and 4 year old kindergarten).

4. Apply online or submit your completed application form by:

• email: keo@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
• mail:
  • Kindergarten Central Applications
    City of Whittlesea
    Locked Bag 1, Bundoora MDC VIC 3083

Eligibility for 4 year old funded kindergarten

Children are eligible to attend four year old kindergarten if they turn four years of age on or before 30 April in the year of attendance. All children are eligible for one year of four year old kindergarten in the year before they start school under the funding provided to kindergartens by the State Government.

‘No Jab, No Play’

In January 2016, the Victorian Government amended the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to reflect the new ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation, this means that early childhood education and care services cannot enrol a child unless the parent/guardian has provided documentation that shows the child:

• is fully vaccinated for their age, or;
• is on a recognised catch-up schedule if their child has fallen behind with their vaccinations; or
• has a medical reason not to be vaccinated

‘No Jab, No Play’ grace period provision:

Under the No Jab No Play law, a vulnerable and disadvantaged family can enrol a child in a kindergarten program under a grace period of 16 weeks, without having provided proof of up to date immunisation. The grace period provisions allow a family to continue to access early childhood education and care services while receiving information and assistance to get their child’s immunisations up to date and to obtain the required immunisation documentation that needs to be provided to the service.

Under the new ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation (effective January 2016), as part of this process, the kindergarten/early childhood service must obtain evidence, in the form of an Immunisation Statement that the child is:

• Fully immunised for their age OR
• On a vaccination catch-up program OR
• Unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons

If a child’s immunisation record is not up to date, enrolment cannot be confirmed and the child cannot attend kindergarten.

An immunisation history statement can be obtained from ACIR by calling 1800 653 809, emailing acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au or by accessing on line www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/online

NOTE: For vulnerable and disadvantaged families, where a child’s immunisation is not up-to-date or the appropriate documentation has not been provided, the child may be able to be enrolled under the ‘No Jab, No Play’ grace period provisions.

Eligibility for second year placement

A child is eligible for a second year of 4 year old kindergarten if the teacher assesses the child as having delays in at least two areas of development and that the child will benefit from a second year of kindergarten.

With the parent/guardian’s consent, and in consultation with the parent/guardian, the teacher completes an assessment and, if needed, may seek the support of other early childhood professionals. The teacher then sends a declaration of eligibility to Department of Education and Training.