Kindergarten in Victoria

Goodstart Kindergarten in Victoria

• What is the Victorian Government’s ‘Free Kinder' program?

  • Each 3 and 4-year-old child will receive a minimum of 15 hours of Free Kinder via the Free Kinder Offset.
  • This is a saving of $2,101 per child each year for children in long daycare.
  • Families with children born between 1^st January and 30^th April can choose whether they start three-year-old kindergarten in the year they turn 3 or the year they turn 4. 

• Cost, fees and Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

  In addition to the Free Kinder Offset, you can also use your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) from the Federal Government at Goodstart. 

  The Free Kinder funding from the Victorian government covers 7.5 hours a day for two days of kinder. This funding is delivered straight to Goodstart and we use it to reduce the fees you pay. 

  You can also use your CCS to help pay for the wrap-around hours on those two days and any other days of care your child attends. We apply the CCS before the Free Kinder Offset to make sure you get maximum funding. 

  For example, when the Victorian government covers 7.5 hours for two days of kinder, your CCS will cover: 

  • the additional 2.5 hours for a 10-hour session
  • the additional 4.5 hours for a 12-hour session. 

  Eligible kindergarten-age children can enrol anytime during that calendar year and receive pro-rata funding. 

  To get the Free Kinder Offset, simply confirm your child is accessing their funded kindergarten program at Goodstart when you enrol.

• Kindergarten age

  For children born between 1^st January and 30^th April, families can choose whether they start three-year-old kindergarten in the year they turn 3 or the year they turn 4. 

  The age your child starts kindergarten relates to the age they will start primary school. When enrolling your child in three-year-old kinder, think about what age you’d like them to start school. 

  In Victoria, children must start school by the year they turn 6. If your child turns 5 on or before 30 April, they can start school that year.

  For example, if they’re born between 1 January and 30 April, you can choose to start them the year they turn 5 or wait until they turn 6.

  If your child is born after 30 April, they must start school the year they turn 6.

• What your child will learn

  Our kindergarten programs are designed and delivered by bachelor-qualified early childhood teachers (ECT) to prepare your child for school. Our program follows the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). The EYLF is play-based and supports children to grow the following skills to help them transition to school: 

  • Build social skills, like making friends and respecting others. 
  • Develop cognitive, physical and social skills. 
  • Practice early literacy and numeracy skills. 
  • Manage emotional regulation and naming how they feel. 
  • Improve communication skills, like saying what they need without getting frustrated. 

  It's easy to see play-based learning as 'just having fun'. But it's important to remember that it's not 'just playing'. Children learn through play. 

  You can read more about what they learn in kinder.

• Opening hours

  Our centres offer longer hours and more flexible options than many other kindergartens, including 10 hour and all-day sessions. 

  Not only that, but we also know not all families have the same routine, so our programs are on offer five days a week, 52 weeks a year.

• We offer additional support

  We meet your child at their current growth stage and regularly evaluate their milestones as they get ready to transition to school. We connect with them through their interests and make sure they feel valued and understood. 

  We also offer educational and behavioural support when it's needed. We respect and celebrate your children for who they are and give them what they need to become the best version of themselves. 

  If needed, we also assist families to access support services in the areas of:

  • speech and language
  • behaviour
  • social skills 
  • general development. 

  If you're concerned about any aspect of your child’s development or learning, please speak to your child’s teacher.

• Smooth transitions to school

  We want your child to have the social and emotional skills to start Prep/Foundation confidently. Our centres collaborate with school teachers, families and communities to support your child's well-being. 

  We work closely with our local schools, giving them everything they need to know about your child through Victoria’s Transition Learning and Development Statements to help their new teachers understand how your child learns. 

  We also run school transition activities during the kinder year to help your child feel comfortable on their first day of Prep/Foundation. We want everyone to have a smooth and supportive start for your child's education journey.

• Inclusive learning where everyone's welcome!

  Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Every child deserves to feel valued and recognised for their unique qualities.

  We make sure our centres are inviting to all children and their families. Our commitment to reconciliation and inclusion means we build strong support networks and communities with you and your children.