Starting Kindergarten

Some children are eligible for a second year of funded four-year-old kindergarten.

If your child has been professionally diagnosed with additional needs, or you have any concerns, these should be raised with our child's teacher as soon as possible. Options for referral and appropriate support strategies can then be put in place. Early childhood educators work with families to support children with additional needs and provide advice about options, including access to a second year of four-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.

Applications for a second year of funded four-year-old kindergarten will be completed by your child's kindergarten teacher and must be approved by the Department of Education.

If your child will be six while attending kindergarten, you will need to apply for a School Exemption. This must be submitted by 1 November the year before your child turns six.