Kindergarten registration and fees

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There are limited places available at our kindergartens.

For the best chance of being offered a place, register your child by 31 May the year before they start kindergarten.

Late registrations will be accepted, but those received by 31 May are given priority in the allocation of places. 

You can nominate up to three kindergartens that you would prefer your child to attend, if a place is available.

It is important to nominate more than one centre to maximise your chance of your child being offered a place.

If you are not sure if your child is ready, you can register them and then defer your place at no cost, if you decide to wait another year.

How to register

Before you begin, make sure you have copies of the following documentation:

  • a medicare immunisation record, or
  • a copy of your child’s birth certificate, or
  • a copy of another official document such as a passport or other proof-of-age document (can be a clear photo of the document) ready to attach to the registration.

If registering for 2024 kindergarten, you will also need to have a valid credit or debit card to pay the registration fee and finalise the application. Eligible pension and health care card holders are exempt from the registration fee. Ensure you have an electronic copy ready to attach when completing the online registration form.

Please note, registration for 2025 kindergarten is free.

Register below. Families who register by 31 May 2024 for 2025 kindergarten will go in the draw to win either a 6 month family swim pass or 12 months of swimming lessons at our Gisborne or Kyneton aquatic centres.

Register for Kindergarten

Other registration options

If you are experiencing any issues registering please call the Enrolment Officer on 5422 0239 or alternatively email on kinderenrolment@mrsc.vic.gov.au

After you apply

This form is to register your child to Council's central enrolment system for kindergarten. It does not guarantee your child’s place.

Once registered, you will receive further information and confirmation of your registration, via email, the September prior to your child starting at kindergarten. 

Eligibility

All of our kindergartens offer government-funded, three and four-year-old kindergarten programs.

Four-year-old kindergarten

Children who will turn four years of age on, or before, 30 April are eligible to enrol in a government-funded kindergarten program.

Children who turn four years of age on, or after, 1 May will be eligible to enrol the following year.

In Victoria, children cannot attend more than one government-funded kindergarten program at the same time.  

Year born Eligible
1 May 2019–30 April 2020 2024
1 May 2020–30 April 2021 2025
 1 May 2021-30 April 2022 2026
 1 May 2022-30 April 2023  2027

 

Three-year-old programs

Children who will turn three years of age on, or before, 30 April in the year of attendance, are eligible to enrol in a funded three-year-old kindergarten. If your child turns three after the kindergarten year starts, their commencement in the program will be delayed until their third birthday. If a kindergarten place is offered and accepted, it will be put on hold until your child has turned three years of age. 

Year born Eligible
1 May 2020–30 April 2021 2024
1 May 2021–30 April 2022 2025
 1 May 2022-30 April 2023 2026
 1 May 2023-30 April 2024  2027

Fees

The fee for registration for 2024 kindergarten is $42 (non-refundable).

Eligible pension and health care card holders are exempt from the registration fee. Ensure you have an electronic copy ready to attach when completing the online registration form. 

Registration for 2025 kindergarten is free. This is due to grant funding from the Victorian Government Central Registration and Enrolment Schemes (CRES) Administrative Support Grants program. 

In line with the Victorian Government's June 2022 announcement, 3 and 4 year old kindergarten will be free from 2023.

No Jab, No Play

To enrol in kindergarten (both 3 and 4 year old programs) all children must be fully immunised for their age.

In September in the year prior to your child starting kindergarten, you will be required to provide a copy of an Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register.

Only a copy from the statement from the AIR is accepted.

It must show that the child:

  • is up-to-date with vaccinations for their age, or
  • is on a recognised vaccine catch-up schedule, or
  • has a medical condition preventing them from being fully vaccinated.

Documents produced by GPs or other immunisation providers are no longer acceptable as proof of immunisation.

An Immunisation History Statement can be requested from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) by calling 1800 653 809, emailing acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au or by visiting a Medicare or Centrelink office.

For more information, call the Department of Health, Immunisation Team/Nurse on 1300 882 008.

Enrolment Policy

Our central enrolment system allocates places according to Council’s Enrolment Policy.

If your first choice kindergarten is full, your second and third choices will be explored and every attempt will be made to place your child at one of these centres. First round offers are mailed to families during September/October.

Change your application

If you need to update your child's information, please ring the Enrolment Officer on (03) 5422 0239 or email your request to kinderenrolment@mrsc.vic.gov.au