During the Four-Year-Old Kindergarten 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. Children attending a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program are not eligible to access a second year of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.
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, 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 considering which educational learning environment will best support a child’s learning and development it is important that families visit and talk with the principal at the school they intend their child to go to during Term 2 or Term 3 to find about the school program and the types of support available for their child in Foundation.
When making assessments of children’s learning and development, early childhood teachers may want to revisit the Practice Guide for Assessment for Learning and Development and supporting materials.
Services may receive questions from families regarding access to a second year of kindergarten following coronavirus (COVID-19) related disruptions over the last two years. The process and requirements for a second year of funded kindergarten are unchanged.
Extended periods of learning from home are not considered a reason for an application for a second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.
A second-year assessment process must be carried out for each child by an early childhood teacher when a second year is being considered. This process includes the following:
- Term 3 Plan for Learning and Development in place for the beginning of Term 3
- Second Year Discussion with the child’s family and other early childhood professionals (if appropriate) by the end of Term 3
- Declaration of Eligibility for a second year of kindergarten completed by 30 November
- Second Year Statement completed during Term 4.
Communicating with parents
Does my child need a second year of kindergarten?
The factsheet for parents (docx - 350.24kb) outlines the options for children who may be eligible for another year of funded kindergarten. Information is also available here: Does my child need a second year of kindergarten?.
Term 3 plan for learning and development
The Term 3 plan for learning and development (docx - 126.55kb) is completed by early childhood teachers in collaboration with parents and/or guardians. It is prepared for Term 3 and summaries a child's abilities, skills and identifies their interests and indicates how they can be supported to continue their learning journey.
This plan is reviewed by the early childhood teacher with parents and/or guardians towards the end of Term 3.
Second year discussion
The Second Year discussion form (docx - 119.91kb) is for early childhood teachers to use from Term 3 to help guide the discussion with parents and/or guardians about a child’s learning and development progress.
Applying for a second year of funded kindergarten – in the Kindergarten Information Management system in Term 4
Following a review of the Term 3 Plan for Learning and Development and a discussion with parents and/or guardians using the Second Year Discussion form, if the decision is made that a child is eligible for a second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, the information below outlines how to apply.
Step 1: Declaration of Eligibility
A Declaration for Eligibility is submitted via the child’s record in the online Kindergarten Information Management (KIM) system from Term 4. The declaration is completed by the early childhood teacher and then submitted in KIM up to 30 November, in the child’s first year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.
Services should ensure a Declaration of Eligibility is completed in KIM, saved as a PDF, printed and a copy provided to the parent and/or guardian before the child is enrolled in another year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. Services should contact their local Early Childhood Implementation Branch to discuss any Declaration of Eligibility decisions made after 30 November.
Early childhood teachers may use the hard copy Declaration of Eligibility (docx - 67.2kb) form to support conversations with parents and/or guardians, and other relevant professionals. The information recorded in this form is the same as the information completed in KIM.
The Information Sheet and Checklist for completing the Declaration of Eligibility (docx - 48.3kb) outlines the requirements to be undertaken when submitting a Declaration of Eligibility for a second year of funded kindergarten. It is intended that the checklist is used by the early childhood teacher.
Further to the Declaration of Eligibility, early childhood teachers are required to complete a Second Year Statement.
Step 2: Second Year Statement
The Second Year Statement (docx - 127.39kb) supports continuity of learning as the child transitions into a second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. This is completed in Term 4and a copy is to be retained with the child’s enrolment record.
Related information
Information for service providers about eligibility and the process of applying for a second year of funded kindergarten
Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) supports all professionals who work with children aged 0-8. It includes a range of discipline-specific guidelines and practice resources.
Going to kindergarten if your child is 6 years old
Families are required to seek an exemption from school by 1 November if their child will turn 6 during the first or second year of Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. For more information and the exemption form please refer to Going to kindergarten if your child is 6 years old.
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