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
All centres will offer 15 hours per week by 2029

Four-year-old (4YO) kindergarten

15 hours per week 
Will change to 30 hours per week in 2032

 

Things you need to know about 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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

There are over 35 kindergartens in Brimbank, operated by 5 early years management orgranisations.

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)

Contact the child care centre directly the year before kindergarten to register.

Last updated: 25 October 2024 - 6:10pm