3 & 4 Year Old Enrolments
Enrolments for 3 & 4 year old kindergarten at Centenary Drive are to be made directly through the City Of Whittlesea’s Central Enrolment Scheme. To find out more, to apply online or to download an application form, please visit the City of Whittlesea Kindergarten Enrolments Website.
- 3YO Kinder – Your child must turn 3 before 30th April in the year of attendance – Please note :- As our kindergarten is not licensed for children under the age of 3, your child will be unable to begin until after their 3rd birthday.
- 4YO Kinder – Your child must turn 4 before 30th April
Applications Open – Applications open on 1 February each year, one year before 3YO program attendance and two years before 4YO kindergarten attendance. Visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au/kinder to apply online.
No Jab No Play – Confirmation of enrolment in our 3 & 4 year old programs is subject to proof of children being up to date with their immunisation or have an approved exemption as per the No Jab No Play legislation. For more information visit :- www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/no-jab-no-play or call the Families and Parents Line on 136 150.
Can my child repeat 3YO or 4YO Kinder? – The Department of Education (DE) provides funding for only 2 years of funded kindergarten (3Yo kinder + 4Yo kinder) per child, before they commence school.
• If your child is in 3yo kinder, they cannot access a second year of 3yo kinder.
• If your child is in 4yo kinder, they can only access a 2nd year if they are assessed as eligible by the kindergarten teacher. The kindergarten teacher must identify delays in 2 or more developmental areas in order for your child to be eligible for a 2nd year. Simply being “young” (born between January – April) is not enough of a reason to be granted a 2nd year of 4YO kindergarten by DE.
Important Note – It is for this reason that we strongly urge parents of younger children to consider what age they would like their child to start school BEFORE commencing a kindergarten program. You should not enrol your child to commence kindergarten with the assumption that they will meet the criteria for a 2nd year. It is best for your child’s learning, development and confidence to make an informed decision prior to your child’s commencement. Many parents of children born between January – April choose to commence 4 year old kindergarten in the year they will turn 5, as this age gap will continue to be evident throughout your child’s school years.
For further information about Kinder & School readiness please download our “Starting Kinder Q&A” Fact sheet.