During the Four-Year-Old Kindergarten(opens in a new window) year, the early childhood teacher and the child's parents and/or guardians will work together to plan for the child's transition to school.
If an early childhood teacher thinks that a second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten may be appropriate for a child, they should be having discussions with the child’s parents or carers.
A second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten may be considered when a child shows delays in learning and development outcome areas in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework(opens in a new window), and when:
- the kindergarten program is deemed to be the most appropriate learning program
- the child will achieve better outcomes at kindergarten than if they go to school.
In submitting a Declaration of Eligibility in KIMS, the early childhood teacher is confirming to the department that a child is eligible for a Second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten(opens in a new window) and that the Term Three Plan for Learning and Development and the Second Year Discussion forms have been completed.
Services must submit applications in KIMS by 28 November 2024. For more information, visit How to Complete a Second Year Declaration for a Child in KIMS(opens in a new window).
Children who attended a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program in 2024 are not eligible to access a second year of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2025.
Find out more
For more information about eligibility requirements, visit Second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten(opens in a new window).
Updated