Sending your child to kinder

In Victoria, children start kindergarten at 3 years old, which means 2 years of kindergarten before school.

There are different types of kindergarten programs your child can go to.

Most kindergarten program fees are partly paid by the Victorian government directly to the kindergarten.

Look for the Kinder Tick to help you find a government-approved funded kinder program.

Most kindergartens welcome enquiries and will organise a time for you to visit.

Guidance on the kindergarten enrolment process, including information on enrolling directly with your local council and immunisation requirements.

Children can go to kindergarten when they're 6 years old if they have a disability, developmental delay or it's a special situation.

There are lots of things you can do to prepare your child for kindergarten.

If your child is moving from kindergarten to school, their educator will write a Transition Learning and Development Statement (TLDS).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children can get up to 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten each week.

We’re transitioning Four-Year-Old Kinder to Pre-Prep in stages from 2025.

We're giving all children enrolled in a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program in 2025 a Kinder Kit.