Kindergarten
Information
2015
What is Kindergarten?
Kindergartens provide an environment in which children’s development is stimulated and
encouraged by university qualified early childhood teachers and qualified assistants.
International and national research shows that the benefits of quality early childhood
educational programs apply for school and for life.
Kindergarten programs are designed to ‘encourage children to explore, solve problems,
communicate, think, create and construct through a fun combination of child-led and adultled play-based learning.’ (Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, 2009).
The VEYLDF outlines the following high expectations for every Victorian child: that they have a
strong sense of identity, are connected with and contribute to their world, have a strong sense
of wellbeing, are confident and involved learners and are effective communicators.
The Kindergarten program content is developed with a focus on the interests and developmental
needs of each child. Under the guidance of the teacher your child will learn to identify, explore
and solve problems; become more independent and confident in their abilities; develop self
discipline; use language to communicate feelings, needs and ideas; make friends; make their own
choices and decisions; take responsibility for their own belongings; learn how to cooperate with
other children; and use their creativity to express ideas and feelings through art, dance and
dramatic play.
Most importantly, a kindergarten program will help your child develop a love of learning and be
better prepared to start school. Your child will learn through indoor and outdoor play, based on
their interests and ideas; real-life experiences, such as cooking, gardening and investigating the
world, plus everyday routines and transitions, such as meal times, rest times and group times.
NB. The terms kindergarten and preschool are interchangeable.
When Should I Send My Child to Kindergarten?
 Research shows that engaging children in high-quality learning experiences
benefits all children and their families and can improve a child’s learning and
development outcomes, emotional wellbeing, their longer-term educational and social
outcomes and life experience. It is vital that children receive these benefits when they
are emotionally and socially ready for the experience.
 The State Government provide kindergarten funding to subsidise 15 hours of
kindergarten for each child in the year before school. A second year of kindergarten is
available for children who meet the eligibility criteria, and are deemed to have a
developmental delay in at least two areas. It is important to note that the majority of
children are only eligible for ONE year of funded kindergarten. From 2014, children who
withdraw from a funded program once they commence will not be eligible for a second
year anywhere in Victoria.
 Children are eligible to attend kindergarten if they are turning 4 before the end of
April in any given year. Some parents choose to wait an extra year especially if their
child is born between January and April. The conversations about when a child is
ready for kindergarten and also when a child is ready for school need to take place
before the child begins their funded kindergarten year. Your decision is critical with long
reaching implications for your child.
 Maternal and Child Health Services and kindergarten staff provide valuable
information to parents about when to begin the more formal educational journey. As
each child is only eligible for one year of funded kindergarten it is important to determine
when they would benefit most from starting school and enrol to attend kindergarten the
year before that. Some families may choose to enrol in Pre-Kinder the year prior to their
funded kindergarten program.
 It is important that families take the time to make an informed decision now. Please
take the opportunity to visit Kindergarten Open Days to discuss this with a qualified
teacher or early childhood educator. Alternatively you could talk to your Pre-Kinder
teacher, Long Day Care Provider or your local Maternal and Child Health Nurse.
What year is my child eligible for kindergarten?
‘Think carefully about when your child is likely to start school, and therefore when is the
best time for the child to have a kindergarten experience.’ (DEECD, 2011)
If your child was
born between
1.5.2009 – 30.4.2010
1.5.2010 – 30.4.2011
1.5.2011 – 30.4.2012
1.5.2012 – 30.4.2013
1.5.2013 – 30.4.2014
Earliest
year
eligible to
attend
school
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Earliest year eligible
to attend
funded 4 year old
Kindergarten
Earliest year eligible to
attend unfunded 3 year
old
Pre Kindergarten
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Please note:

Children are required to start school by the time they turn 6. However, if your child
is born between January to April 30th you may choose to defer sending them until the
following year. For example: if your child turns 4 on April 1st you may choose to have them
attend the following year.

Children are funded by the State Government for ONE year of kindergarten in the
year before they commence school.

From 2014, children who withdraw from a state funded four (4) year old
kindergarten program -once they commence- will not be funded for a second year
anywhere in Victoria.

You need to work back from the year your child will start school.

A second year of funding can still be applied for if a child has significant
developmental delays in two areas.
How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?
There are many factors to consider when thinking about sending your child to
kindergarten, including emotional maturity and social confidence. Questions to ask
yourself include



Can he or she separate easily from me?
Can they be understood by other people?
Can they express their needs clearly?
Do they have the stamina to attend and enjoy a full kindergarten session?
Please speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse, Kindergarten teacher or Pre-School Field
Officer if you are unsure of your child’s readiness. Children who turn 4 between January
to April in the year they attend kindergarten can often struggle and will be with older
children.
Please note: from 2014 children will not be able to withdraw and recommence in a state
funded place once they start their kindergarten year. If they have two or more significant
developmental delays they may be eligible for a second year of funding. However funding
will not be available if a child is ‘not ready’ for kindergarten. Parents are advised to
determine when they want their child to attend school and work back from there with
regards to kindergarten attendance.
KINDERGARTEN CENTRAL ENROLMENT GUIDELINES
IN BAW BAW SHIRE
Baw Baw Shire Council (BBSC) operates a central enrolment scheme for 12 of the 15
funded kindergartens in the Shire. These kindergartens are funded by the State
Government through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
(DEECD).
The kindergartens involved in the central enrolment scheme are

Warragul Community Preschool

Bowen Park Kindergarten (Warragul)

Grace Berglund Kindergarten (Warragul)

Drouin Kindergarten (Adam Court)

Oak Street Kindergarten (Drouin)

Longwarry Preschool

Mary Beck Pre School (Neerim South)

Yarragon Early Learning Centre

Trafalgar Kindergarten

Thorpdale and District Kindergarten

Erica Preschool

Willow Grove Kindergarten - four (4) year old program only
These kindergartens all use the same Kindergarten Application form, and
application process.
The kindergartens not involved in this scheme at present are St Andrew’s Kindergarten
(ph: 5623 2425), St Paul’s Early Learning Centre (ph: 5623 5833) and Chairo Christian
School Early Learning Centre (ph: 5625 2013). For kindergartens that are not involved in
the central enrolment scheme you will need to contact the kindergarten directly to be
advised of their enrolment process.
Please note: Baw Baw Shire Council owns some of the buildings that kindergartens
operate from. Council does not run the actual kindergarten programs.
Application Process - How do I apply?
a)
b)
c)



Read through the Enrolment Application Form
Complete personal details on the Enrolment Application Form
Choose your kindergarten preferences
There is a high demand for both kindergarten and pre kindergarten places and
applicants are advised to nominate preferences for more than one Centre
(minimum of 3 preferred)
Council cannot guarantee your first selection
Parents should only nominate the Kindergartens that they are prepared to accept
d)
Sign and return the Enrolment Application Form with proof of birth and attach the
receipt for the enrolment application fee if paid at a BBSC Customer Service Centre or
send with a cheque or money order to the Kindergarten Enrolment Coordinator, Family &
Children’s Services, Baw Baw Shire Council, P.O. Box 304, Warragul 3820. If you wish
to have the fee reduced you must present a current concession card in person to a Baw
Baw Shire Council Customer Service Centre with your completed application form.
e)
Confirmation of receipt of your application will be sent via email (if provided) or mail.
If you have not received confirmation within 10 working days of your application date,
please contact the Kindergarten Enrolment Coordinator on 5624 2540.
f)
First round offers for four year old kindergarten will be mailed to families in August
and for 3 year old prekindergarten in September. You will be required to respond to first
round offers within 14 days, using the enclosed return slip. If the response is not
returned to the Kindergarten Enrolment Coordinator and efforts to contact you are
unsuccessful, your child’s offer of a place may be cancelled. Please ensure that you
can be contacted during office hours. Failure to attend kindergarten at the beginning of
Term 1, failing to contact the kindergarten in your child’s absence, or being uncontactable
by the kindergarten may result in your child’s place being cancelled.
Swap & Waiting Lists, Appeals & Change of Details Processes
Please view online at www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au or request full kindergarten application
guidelines from the Kindergarten Enrolment Coordinator at 56242540.
Additional funding for children with additional needs
The Kindergarten Inclusion Support Services offers supplementary assistance to
kindergartens to support the inclusion of a child with special needs in the kindergarten
program. Applications are made by the Kindergarten Teacher in consultation with parents,
early childhood intervention agencies and Preschool Field Officers. Applications are made
in the year prior to the child starting kindergarten and a strict criterion exists for an
application to be made. Please speak to the Preschool Field Officer on 56242540 for
further information on funding availability to children with special needs.
Further information and help
For further assistance in any of these areas please contact the Kindergarten Enrolment
Coordinator on 56242540.