Kindergarten Central Registration

You can use Council's Central Registration process to register your child for Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, for all Council-operated kindergarten centres, and most privately-operated centres in Greater Shepparton.

There are kindergarten centres at a variety of locations, with varying programs and management structures. Each kindergarten centre establishes their own education and care program to reflect the needs of their community. They each set their own session times and term fees.

Council’s Early Years Department administers the enrolment policy and guidelines on behalf of our member kindergartens.

For information about the registration process, including important dates, priority of access, and registration requirements, see the Central Registration Policy page.

All kindergarten centres welcome and encourage parents to come and visit their unique programs. We encourage you to call and make a time with the educators, to ensure they are available to discuss your questions.

Three-Year-Old Kindergarten

Three-Year-Old Kindergarten starts two years before the child starts school.

From 2022, three-year-old children across Victoria can access at least five hours of a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program each week. Not all kindergarten centres are currently offering a funded five-hour Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program for 2022 or 2023.

Research shows that play-based learning is a powerful way to support children’s development. These benefits last into the school years and beyond.

Evidence shows that two years of kindergarten are better than one when it comes to early learning.

A quality kindergarten program will have more of an impact for children who start at age three rather than four. The benefits are even greater for children who are in vulnerable circumstances.

Families with children born between January and April can choose which year to start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. These children can start in the same year they turn three, or in the year they turn four years of age.

Some services ask that children start attending kindergarten only after their third birthday. This may mean children may not start attending their kindergarten program until part-way into term one.

To find out what year your child can start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, please see these Victorian Government recommendations.

Early Start Kindergarten

Children who are eligible for the Early Start Kindergarten program are entitled to 15 hours of free kindergarten each week, for two years. To be eligible, your child must be three years of age by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten, and:

• from a refugee or asylum seeker background, or
• identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or
• your family has had contact with child protection.

To find out more information on Early Start Kindergarten, visit the Victorian Government website.

Four-Year-Old Kindergarten

Four-Year-Old Kindergarten starts the year before the child starts school.

Is your child ready for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten?

Your child’s year at kindergarten is a very important step in their developmental progress and parents need to consider their child’s readiness to cope in the kindergarten setting.

Is your child:

• keen to play with other children?
• eager to try new things?
• wanting to do things for themselves, such as dressing, toileting and feeding?
• able to follow a simple instruction?
• capable of completing a simple task?
• ready to listen to a story?
• looking for challenges?
• interested in the world around them?
• able to separate from family members?
• indicating an understanding of sharing and turn taking, even if he/she doesn’t do this yet?
• happy in their own company for short periods of time?
• turning four years old by 30 April next year?

If you answer yes to any or all of these questions then now is the time to consider registering your child for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.

You can register your child by using the Kindergarten Central Registration Form.

In Victoria, kindergarten is for children in the first two years before they start school. The Victorian State Government partially funds two years of kindergarten for each child (three years old and four years old). It is important that parents choose the right year for their child to attend kindergarten, as this will decide when they will start school.

Talk to the people who know your child (such as their Three-Year-Old teacher or educator) about their development and readiness for kinder. Your Maternal and Child Health Nurse will also be able to do a 3½-year-old check and advise you.

At the age of three-and-a-half to four years, children are generally demonstrating noticeable changes in their growth and development. Parents can receive feedback about their child’s growth and also their social development. A general physical assessment is completed.

A range of topics can be discussed such as immunisation, behavioural issues and parenting, diet, dental care, encouraging development through play, safety and kindergarten and school readiness. Please contact Maternal and Child Health Nurse for further information or to make a booking, on (03) 5832 9312.

The kindergarten programs are based on the needs and interests of the child and incorporate the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework/National Quality Framework. Each child’s individuality is respected and supported in their journey to have a strong sense of identity and wellbeing, connect with and contribute to the world, and to be effective communicators who are confident and involved learners. The play based program encourages your child to develop in a safe and engaging environment.

Age eligibility guide

Use the Victorian Government's "When to Start Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten" Calculator or follow the guide below:

Please note: Children are not required to start school until six years of age. A child’s kindergarten readiness takes into account the child’s developmental level and social readiness, as well as their age. Please speak to your Early Childhood professional or Maternal and Child Health Nurse to discuss your child's readiness.

List of kindergarten centres

Centres marked with a  icon deliver a kindergarten program that is funded and approved by the Victorian Government.

If you are ready to register your child, click the button below:

Kindergarten Central Registration Form

Registration and enrolment process

1. Registration
   Parents/guardians register their child using the online registration form.
2. Allocation and Placement
   Places are allocated as per the Priority of Access guidelines. Children that are not offered a place at their preferred kindergarten centre are contacted by phone to discuss options.

For children who are offered a place at a non-Council kindergarten centre, the centre will contact you for further information.

For Council-operated kindergarten centres, please continue reading below:

3. Letter of Offer
   A Letter of Offer will be sent via email or text message. Parents/guardians can either accept or decline their child's offer.
4. Registration forms
   Online registration forms will be sent via email or text message. This must be completed before the child can start kindergarten. This form collects important information such as medical conditions, emergency contacts and additional needs.
5. Orientation Day
   Parents/guardians are invited to attend Orientation Day at their centre. All registered families should attend on this day. This allows children to become familiar with the environment and to meet the teacher. Parents/guardians have the opportunity to ask any questions.
6. Interview Day
   Interview Day is a 1-on-1 meeting with the teacher and the parent/guardian. This is an opportunity to speak with the teacher if you have any specific requirements or concerns.