Kindergarten

What is kindergarten?  

Kindergarten (also called preschool) is a play-based learning program for children aged 3 and 4. It is taught by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Kindergarten helps children build independence, confidence, and social and emotional skills.

Learn more about the benefits of kindergarten at Best Start, Best Life.

Applying for 3 or 4-Year-Old sessional kindergarten in 2026

All kindergartens close on 19 December 2025 and reopen in late January or early February 2026.
Applications received from 12 December might not start at the beginning of the kindergarten year. Many kindergartens already have waiting lists for 2026.

The Kindergarten Central Enrolment Team will be on leave from 22 December 2025 to 15 January 2026.

To find out more information about applying for 2026 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten please continue to the 2026 sessional kindergarten webpage. This page includes information about, applying from overseas,  how to apply, participating kindergartens, application and immunisation requirements.

2026 sessional kindergarten

Applying for 3 or 4-year-old sessional kindergarten in 2027

Registrations for 2027 will open 1 April 2026. You will be unable to register for 2027 before this time. You can revisit this website in March 2026 for some updated information.

Deciding which year to start kindergarten

Kindergarten age calculator

Children can attend kindergarten in the two years before starting primary school.

Families with children born between January and April can choose which year to start 3-year-old kindergarten. These children can start in the year they turn 3 or wait and start in the year they turn 4. This choice matters because it affects the age your child will start primary school.

Funding Rules

• Every child gets one funded year of 3-year-old kindergarten.
• After that, they move into one 4-year-old kindergarten program the next year.
• An additional funded kindergarten is only offered if a child shows delays in two or more key areas of learning and development, based on Department of Education eligibility criteria.

Find a kindergarten near you

You can find a kindergarten that is close to where you live or work using the map on our Find local kindergartens and childcare page.

On this page you will need to type your address into the search field, and select from the filters whether you would like the map to be any or all of the following:

• child care centres
• kindergartens
• occasional child care

Once you have done this click the 'search' button and the map will show the kindergarten or child care options close to your address.

Visiting a kindergarten

• Contact kindergartens directly to arrange a visit.
• Council cannot book visits for families.

Choosing between sessional or integrated kindergarten

 Kindergarten programs are funded by the State Government and delivered in two ways  

• Integrated kindergarten in long day care

  Integrated kindergarten delivered in early years services settings is for families who need care outside of the kindergarten session times or do not have flexible work arrangements. Funding is included in child care fees and extra costs may apply.

  More information is available on our Child care page.

• Sessional Kindergarten

  Sessional kindergarten is for families who do not need require care outside of the kindergarten session times or have flexible work arrangements.  Sessional kindergarten runs during school terms and is free (no pay term fees).

Priority of Access

The Department of Education sets the Priority of Access guidelines. All kindergartens and Councils must apply these rules when allocating places.

Children who have priority of access are:

• Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including those in Out-of-Home Care
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
• Children from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds
• Children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy, including families with:
  • Health Care Card
  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Veteran’s Affairs Card
• Multiple births of triplets or more.
• Children with additional needs, such as:
  • Have a disability or developmental delay (diagnosed or being assessed).
  • Are eligible for NDIS or Early Childhood Intervention services.
  • Have complex medical needs that make kindergarten harder to access.
  • Hold a Disability Health Care Card.
  • Have been referred by a professional (e.g., NDIS, ECIS, Preschool Field Officer, Maternal and Child Health nurse, or allied health).
  • Previously used inclusion support programs.

Parents or carers may also qualify if they have a disability or complex medical needs. Evidence needed: A letter from a doctor, specialist, or health professional.

• Children accessing an additional year or 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten or Pre-prep

Pre-Prep and Early Start Kindergarten

• Pre-Prep (Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Transition)

  Pre-Prep is the new name for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and will gradually increase hours from 15 to 30 per week by 2036.
  From 2026, priority access to Pre-Prep of 16+ hours is given to:

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
  • Children from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds
  • Children who have had contact with Child Protection
  • Children supported by Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning in their Three-Year-Old Kindergarten year
• Early Start Kindergarten (ESK)

  ESK provides 15 hours of free kindergarten per week for two years before school.
  To be eligible, a child must:

  • Turn 3 by 30 April in the year they start
    AND meet one of these criteria:
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • From a refugee or asylum seeker background
  • Known to Child Protection or referred to Child FIRST

Privacy and information sharing

Merri-bek City Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). The personal information requested on your application is being collected by Merri-bek City Council for Kindergarten Registration and may also be used to update your personal information otherwise held by Council (for example, contact details including email address, phone number). The personal information will only be disclosed to the kindergarten and/or Early Years management organisation for kindergarten registration and may also be used by Council for related purposes. Information will not be disclosed to any other external party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law.

If the personal information is not provided, we cannot register your child for kindergarten. You can gain access to your personal information you have provided. If you wish to change any information, please contact the Kindergarten Central Enrolment Officer. You can also contact Merri-bek City Council’s Privacy Officer by telephone on 9240 1111 or email privacyofficer@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Kindergarten Outreach Support Program for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) children and families

The Outreach team offers support to enrol your children into 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten program, assist you to address engagement barriers, support transition and ongoing participation in education and linking you to other early childhood supports in your local area.

You can find out more information on the Kindergarten Outreach Support Program for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) children and families flyer (PDF). (PDF 393Kb) Our Outreach Workers speak some local languages and have interpreters available on request.

Services and families can refer themselves for outreach support using our Kindergarten Outreach Support Program Referral Form (PDF) (PDF 283Kb).

Preschool Field Officer Program

Preschool Field Officers (PSFOs) provide guidance and coaching to early childhood educators. This support aims to improve the inclusion of children with additional needs in kindergarten programs. This includes children enrolled in, Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, Pre-Prep and Early Start Kindergarten.

You can learn more about this program on our additional support for children page.