Kindergarten facts
Kindergarten is a one to two-year program for children before they start primary school.
Are kindergarten and preschool the same?
Yes. They have the same educational 3 and 4-year-old programs.
What is the difference between integrated kindergarten, sessional kindergarten and child care?
Integrated 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten is a government funded kindergarten program operating within a child care service. Services charge a daily fee and may operate during school holidays. Programs are delivered by a bachelor qualified Educator.
Sessional 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten is a government funded kindergarten program operating within the Victorian school term. Services close during school holidays, and it is free. Programs are delivered by a bachelor qualified Educator.
Child care is a daily program offered to children aged between 6 months to 5 years within a child care service. Services operate all day, charge a daily fee and may be open all year. Programs are delivered by qualified early childhood educators.
How do I choose a kindergarten?
Every family is different. The kindergarten program you choose should be a good fit for your child and family. It’s a good idea to visit services you are interested in to find the right fit for your family. Look for the Kinder Tick when choosing a kindergarten service.
The Kinder Tick helps Victorian families find a funded kindergarten program for their children.
How do I decide if my child is ready for kindergarten?
Talk to your Maternal and Child Health nurse or a qualified early years educator to help you decide. Kindergarten open days also provide a great opportunity to talk things through with an experienced professional.
Before your child starts kindergarten, find out more with these tips for starting kindergarten.
Can my child attend sessional kindergarten if they are not 3-years-old until later in term 1?
No. Kindergarten services are required to meet the correct ratio of staff to children, the ratio is based on children’s age.
If your child turns three by 30 April in the year of registration, and you would like them to start sessional kindergarten, you can still enrol your child. Services will hold your child's place until they are old enough to attend.
If you have any further questions, contact your local kindergarten service. Services can email 3yo.kindergarten@education.vic.gov.au for more information.
Can my child attend kindergarten if they are not toilet trained?
Yes. Kindergarten is for all children, including those who are not yet toilet trained.
Do I need to provide proof of birth of my child to register for kindergarten?
No. You do not need to provide proof of birth of your child to register for kindergarten.
Do I need to provide an immunisation certificate to register for kindergarten?
No. You do not need to provide a copy of an immunisation certificate when registering on the Darebin Kindergarten Registration System.
Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten?
Yes. An Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register is the only type of immunisation record accepted by Education and Care services for the purposes of confirming enrolment and must be provided within the two months prior to the child starting at the service.
Find out about our immunisation service or you can contact the Darebin Immunisation Team at immunise@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 03 8470 8562.
You can find out more about the No Jab No Play on the Better Health Channel.
What does it cost to attend kindergarten?
Sessional Kindergarten is currently available for free across Victoria at participating services.
A kindergarten program within a childcare setting is not free, you may be eligible for a $2,000 kindergarten subsidy which can be used to offset the kindergarten program component of your out-of-pocket fees.
- 3-year-olds get between 5 and up to 15 hours per week of a kindergarten program
- 4-year-olds get a 15 hour per week (600 hours a year) program
More information regarding fee schedules is available from individual kindergartens.
What does it cost to register on the Darebin Kindergarten and Child Care Registration System?
There is no cost for families to register for either 3-year-old or 4-year-old kindergarten for 2025.
Does my concession card entitle me to any kindergarten benefits?
Yes. More information regarding free kindergarten is available from individual kindergartens or at the Give your child the best start in life website.
Which services does the Darebin Registration System cover?
For a detailed list of all services the Darebin Registration System covers go to kindergartens in Darebin to find out more.
When can I put my child’s name on the waiting list for 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten?
Kindergarten registrations open 1 March the year before your child will be attending. Completion of the registration form does not guarantee a placement.
Find out more about starting ages for kindergarten.
Who gets priority on the waiting list?
Kindergarten places are prioritised for children through the Department of Education Priority of Access criteria.
These priorities include:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children
- Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in out-of-home care
- Asylum seeker and refugee children
- Children eligible for the kindergarten fee subsidy
- Children with additional needs: those who need extra assistance in order to fully participate in the kindergarten program, require a combination of services which are individually planned, or have an identified specific disability or developmental delay
- Children who are approved for a second funded year of kindergarten.
For more information, please see Kindergarten priority of access criteria.
Darebin gives subsequent priority to the following:
- Families who are Darebin residents
- Had a child or sibling who attended the same kindergarten in the past 2 years
- First preference kindergarten is closest to the child's address
- Internal childcare children (who request the kindergarten program within their current childcare service.
Families who do not live in Darebin and are not eligible for the Department of Education priority of access criteria will be in round three of the process.
When will I be offered a place?
Round one offers are made to families based on their first selected kindergarten, in early August for 4-year-old kindergarten and mid-August for 3-year-old kindergarten.
How will I be contacted for an offer?
You will receive an email and text message that you have received an offer.
How do I accept or decline an offer?
You can accept or decline by:
If there is no response within 2 days your registration will be removed from our system.
If you accept the place, you will receive an email confirmation and then the service will contact you to enrol in the program.
If you decline your offer and want to remain on the waiting list for other services, you will need to contact the Darebin Registration Team on 03 8470 8825.
If I accept a place, can I stay on the waiting list for my other selected services?
No. If you accept a place, you will not stay on the waiting list for other selected services.
If I don’t accept a place, do I lose my position on the waiting list?
If you decline your offer and want to remain on the waiting list for other services, you will need to contact the Darebin Registration Team on 03 8470 8825.
Why was I not offered a place in Round One?
If you did not receive an offer in Round One, you will be included in ongoing offers as places become available. This process continues until all vacancies are filled.
What happens if I’m not offered a place at my preferred service?
- You may be picked up in other rounds
- In October, you can consider looking at other services
- You can stay on the waiting list
- Between August, and February 2025 there can be changes as families may not get the sessions they request, or they may move out of the area, or they may choose to stay at their current care provider.
Please contact the registration team on 03 8470 8825 at any time after September to discuss other options.
Maternal and Child Health Centre check reminder
It is recommended that your child attend a Maternal and Child Health Centre for health, developmental and vision screening at 3½ years of age. Find out more about our Maternal and Child Health service.