3 and 4-year-old kindergarten programs
Key points
- We process the registration and placement of children at community kindergartens in Cardinia Shire, including 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten.
- Some private providers may also offer a funded program, but you will need to contact them directly for program and registration information. You can find providers on the Department of Education and Training website
Read more information about kindergarten programs at the Victorian Government website
What you are eligible to
In Victoria, all children are eligible for 2 years of funded kindergarten:
- one year of 3-year-old kindergarten
- one year of 4-year-old kindergarten.
These years must be taken immediately before starting school.
When to start kindergarten
- Children must be 3 years old by 30 April in the year they start 3-year-old-kindergarten
- Children must be 4 years old by 30 April in the year they start 4-year-old kindergarten
You can use the calculator on the Victorian Government website to help you work out when your child can start kindergarten.
Some other details about starting Kindergarten are covered on our Kindergarten Registration FAQs page.
If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April
If your child’s birthdate is between 1 January to 30 April, you need to decide when you want your child to start their first year of primary school:
- in the year they turn 5
- or the following year.
This means, to do 2 years of kindergarten before school, your child will need to start their first year of kindergarten:
- in the year they turn 3
- or the following year (in the year they turn 4).
The decision will need to be made before a child starts a funded year of kindergarten.
We encourage you to consult with relevant early childhood professionals for guidance in making this decision. Consider talking to early childhood teachers, maternal and child health nurses, your family doctor and/or an allied health professional such as a speech therapist or occupational therapist.
3-year-old kindergarten
- 3-year-old kindergarten programs are 5 hours a week or more (see the Kindergarten timetables page).
- The early childhood sector is working to increase the hours of all 3-year-old kindergarten programs. Individual programs are adding more hours when they can. By 2029, all programs will be 15 hours a week.
- Attending 3-year-old kindergarten does not guarantee a place in the 4-year-old kindergarten program at the same kindergarten in future years.
More info: Victorian Government website
4-year-old kindergarten
- Children attend 4-year-old kindergarten the year before they are due to start primary school.
- 4-year-old kindergarten programs are 15 hours a week.
More info: Victorian Government website
Registrations, offers and placements
Visit the Register for kindergarten page for information on:
- how to register for kindergarten or accept an offer
- deadlines for registration or changing your preferences
- dates that offers will be made for next year’s placements
- how placements are decided.
In the online kindergarten portal, it says we're 'Waitlisted' ...
Your status will say 'Waitlisted' until an offer is made. See our important dates info about when offers are made.
Questions?
- Read our Kindergarten Registration Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Visit the Victorian Government website.
- Contact the Central Registration Officer by calling: 1300 787 624 or sending an email to: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au.