Kindergarten is important to the learning and development of children in the years before they start school. At kindergarten, children learn key skills for life through play-based learning, such as:
- creative thinking
- social and emotional skills
- early literacy and
- language skills.
Over 70 kindergarten programs are run across Brimbank by qualified early childhood educators. We manage the registration of some of these programs, known as sessional kindergartens.
Child's age | Hours at kindergarten each week |
---|---|
Three-year-old (3YO) kindergarten |
5-15 hours per week |
Four-year-old (4YO) kindergarten |
15 hours per week |
Things you need to know about kindergarten
Types of kindergarten
Types of kindergarten
Kindergarten programs are run in either:
- sessional kindergartens or
- as integrated programs within Long Day Care programs at childcare centres.
We manage the registration of sessional kindergartens in Brimbank only. Council does not run the kindergarten programs. Integrated programs are privately managed. Find the difference between sessional and integrated programs in the table below.
Services | Sessional (Stand Alone) |
Integrated (Long Day Care) |
---|---|---|
No fees required (from 2023) |
Yes |
|
Daily fees payable |
Yes |
|
Child Care Subsidy available |
Yes |
|
Bachelor qualifed teacher |
Yes |
Yes |
Play-based learning |
Yes |
Yes |
Up to 15 hours available |
Yes |
Yes |
During school terms only |
Yes |
|
Set days and times (2/3 days per week) |
Yes |
|
Long-day program (up to 5 days per week) |
Yes |
|
Before and aftercare |
Yes |
|
Meals provided |
Yes |
When to start kindergarten
When to start kindergarten
Children can attend 3YO kindergarten if they are 3 (or turning 3 before 30 April). Families with children born between January and 30 April may choose whether to enrol their children in a kindergarten program in the year they turn 3 years old.
Children can attend 4YO kindergarten the year before they start school.
Child's date of birth | 3YO kindergarten | 4YO kindergarten |
---|---|---|
1/5/2018 - 30/4/2019 | 2022 | 2023 |
1/5/2019 - 30/4/2020 | 2023 | 2024 |
1/5/2020 - 30/4/2021 | 2024 | 2025 |
1/5/2021 - 30/4/2022 | 2025 | 2026 |
1/5/2022 - 30/4/2023 | 2026 | 2027 |
Things to consider when deciding when to start kindergarten include a child’s:
- developmental and learning levels
- family circumstances and
- preferred school starting age.
Families can discuss their child’s kindergarten readiness by speaking with their MCH nurse at their child’s next KAS appointment.
Cost
Cost
From 2023, 3YO and 4YO kindergarten will be free across Victoria.
Families with children in sessional programs will not be required to pay any fees. Those in integrated programs will get a $2000 reduction in fees pro rata (per 15 hours) and will still need to pay for care outside of the kindergarten program.
Early Start Kindergarten
Early Start Kindergarten
A special program called Early Start Kindergarten (PDF 391KB) is available to eligible 3-year-olds to access 15 hours of funded kindergarten per week, instead of 5 hours.
Eligibility includes children:
- who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- of families who have had contact with Child Protection (or have been referred to Child FIRST)
- who have refugee or asylum seeker children (DOCX 118KB)
For more information call the Brimbank Kindergarten Registration team on 03 9249 4000 or email ESK@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Preschool Field Officer Program
Preschool Field Officer Program
The Preschool Field Officer Program helps kindergarten educators support children already at kindergarten who have additional needs, so they can better access and take part in kindergarten programs.
Learn more about the program or apply for a Preschool Field Officer Referral program.
Kindergarten in Brimbank
Sessional kindergarten registrations
Sessional kindergarten registrations
We register children from birth at their first Maternal and Child Health nurse appointment.
Visit Kindergarten Registration Updates
- to check your kindergarten registration and preferences
- to update your contact details
Allocation process:
- In the year before kindergarten, we contact all families already registered in its system to confirm their contact details and kindergarten preferences.
- From May, Council allocates places for 3YO kindergarten
- From July, Council allocates places for 4YO kindergarten
- Families must accept their offer with Council via the forms provided to complete the process.
- Later in the year, the kindergarten families have accepted their offer with will make contact to begin the enrolment process.
Allocation is made according to a Priority of Access criteria set out by the Department of Education and Training. Read more about Priority of Access and allocation in the Kindergarten registration policy. (PDF 198KB)
Contact us:
Email kindergarten@brimbank.vic.gov.au or call 03 9249 4000
Kindergarten preferences and offers
Kindergarten preferences and offers
Visit Kindergarten Registration Updates
- to change which kindergarten you wish to name as your choices
- to accept or decline kindergarten offers/place at a kindergarten or
- to cancel/defer your application
Where are kindergartens?
Where are kindergartens?
There are over 35 kindergartens in Brimbank, operated by 5 early years management orgranisations.
- Download a list of Kindergartens in Brimbank
- Enter your suburb details on our kindergarten listings to find options nearby.
- Visit the Victorian Government ‘Find a kindergarten’ website
Kindergarten timetables
Kindergarten timetables
Kindergarten timetables are set by the centres that operate them.
Review the 2024 session times or download a copy of the timetable (PDF 495kb) as last provided to us.
Visit providers' websites to confirm times and learn more.
Providers
BPA Children's Services runs kindergartens at 19 locations in Brimbank
Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS) runs kindergartens at 15 locations in Brimbank
Deer Park West Kinder at 12 Adeline Ct, Deer Park
Derrimut YMCA Early Learning Centre at 30 Lennon Parkway, Derrimut
Welwyn Uniting Kindergarten at 44 Welwyn Parade, Deer Park
Integrated kindergarten programs (at child care centres)
Integrated kindergarten programs (at child care centres)
Contact the child care centre directly the year before kindergarten to register.