What is Three-Year-Old Kinder?

• Three-year-old kinder is an educational program for three-year-old's in the year before preschool (four-year-old kindergarten)
• The three-year-old kinder program is 15 hours per week.
• To be eligible your child must be three years old before 30 April, in the year of attendance. Children must turn three years of age before they can commence at the service.
• We operate a central enrolment scheme.
• The enrolment form allows you to state your preference for a particular three-year-old kindergarten.

Is my child eligible?

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Children are eligible for one year of funded three-year-old kindergarten and will commence four-year-old preschool the following year.  Children who withdraw from a kindergarten program once they commence are not eligible for an additional year of funded three-year-old kindergarten anywhere in Victoria. Therefore, it is important that families consider whether their child is ready for three-year-old funded kindergarten, prior to their child commencing in the program.  

Only children who meet the eligibility criteria and are deemed to have a developmental delay in at least two areas can attend an additional year of funded preschool. Decisions regarding children attending an additional year of funded kindergarten must be made no later than the end of Term 3 in the child’s first year of kindergarten.

Is my child ready for three year old Kinder? - Important information

We need you to be informed about a few things, before you make the significant decision about when your child begins their Early Education journey

• Every Victorian child is eligible to enrol in three-year-old kinder if they turn three by 30 April*
• It is only possible to access ONE year of funded three-year-old kinder
• If your child is younger, you may wish to wait until the following year, to begin three-year-old kinder
• Children who withdraw from a kindergarten program once they commence are not eligible for a second year of funded kindergarten anywhere in Victoria.

Children are entitled to one funded year of three-year-old kinder and one funded year of four-year-old kinder.
All children in a three-year-old Kindergarten program will move onto four-year-old Kindergarten the following year. There is no option for an additional year of funded three-year-old kinder.

Once your child attends one day of three-year-old kinder this is their funded three-year-old kinder year and children will not be eligible to attend another three-year-old kinder the following year.

It is important that families are provided with information regarding your options, please contact Family Services if you would like to discuss any of the above

Only children who meet the eligibility criteria and are deemed to have a developmental delay in at least two areas can attend an additional year of funded preschool.  Decisions regarding children attending an additional year of funded kindergarten must be made no later than the end of Term 3 in the child’s first year of kindergarten.

Like you, we want your child to thrive, therefore, it is vital to consider if your child is emotionally READY to begin their journey into three-year-old kindergarten, or if they would gain more from the experience, if a bit older.

*Your child is unable to attend independently, until their third birthday

While making this decision, you may wish to discuss your child’s readiness with:

• Your maternal and child health nurse
• Educators at day-care.
• Or contact the Family Services Team via email fsadmin@latrobe.vic.gov.au or 1300 367 700

You are welcome to contact any of our teachers, to discuss your child’s readiness.

How to Enrol

• To read the Kinder enrolment Guide below;

• access to your email (we suggest using a personal email address some organisations may have a block preventing you from receiving the kindergarten offer via your work email address)
• a copy of your child’s immunisation history statement, maternal and child health records cannot be accepted. This document can be downloaded from the MyGov website, see examples below. Children must be up to date with immunisations at time of enrolment.
• If you hold a Health Care card, Pensioner Concession Card or Department Veterans Affairs Gold card you will need to provide the card number and the expiry date.

Fees - Free Kinder*

The Victorian State Government has announced that from 2023 there will be no cost to families and therefore no fees will be applicable to either the three-year-old program or the four-year-old program.

*If enrolling in a long day care kinder please check with the service regarding fee structure.        

Services not operated by Latrobe City

Latrobe City Council's Central Enrolment Scheme also accepts applications for the following kindergartens:

• Acorn Acres Early Learning & Care Moe – 5126 2121
• Bluebird Early Education Moe - 5126 2222
• Bluebird Early Education Traralgon - 4138 8323
• Federation Children's Centre Churchill - 5122 6227
• Li'l Bearz Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten Traralgon - 5176 4688
• Little Saints Early Learning Traralgon - 5172 9855
• Little Saints Early Learning Moe - 5127 6100
• Little Saints Early Learning Newborough – 4122 3020
• Mid Valley Kinder and Childcare Morwell – 5135 6522
• Rising Stars Early Learning Academy Traralgon – 5174 4654

These services are NOT managed or operated by Latrobe City Council, please contact them directly for questions related to session days and times, fees and charges.

Kindergarten offer timelines

Victorian Kindergarten Term Dates

Please click on link to view the Victorian Kinder terms - https://www.vic.gov.au/school-term-dates-and-holidays-victoria

Related documents

Kinder Enrolment Guide