Kindergarten
From 2026, sessional kindergarten will no longer be offered at Carrum Family Children’s Centre. We still offer the extended day kindergarten program at the centre. If you would like to find another sessional kindergarten, you can register your interest online.
Kindergarten is an early years education program for children in the two years prior to starting school.
The Victorian State Government provides funding for up to 15 hours per week for 3 year old kindergarten, and 15 hours per week for 4 year old kindergarten.
Kindergarten is offered in different formats:
Read more about sessional kindergarten in Kingston below. For long day kindergarten, see our page about other childcare options.
Sessional kindergarten
Registrations for 2026 are now open.
Register your interest or contact us on 9581 4851
or kindergartenenrolment@kingston.vic.gov.au to find out about available places.
- You can register your child if they turn three or four before April 30 in the year they attend.
- Registration is free.
- Use one form per child.
- You only need to register once per child (if you register your child for three-year-old kindergarten, you do not need to register again for four-year-old kindergarten).
Register for kindergarten
Registration process
Places are allocated based on:
- Victorian Government’s Kindergarten Funding Guidelines
- if your child is moving from three to four-year-old kindergarten
- your child's home address
- whether your child (or older child) has attended the kindergarten before
We will try to place your child at the same kindergarten for both years, but it is not guaranteed.
If your child doesn’t get a spot at one of your preferred kindergartens groups, we'll contact you with other options.
Update your details
If your circumstances change after your register, you can change your kindergarten preference or update your details using our online form.
Find a sessional kindergarten
Select the program type and year, select a pin and then scroll down to see the details below the map. Alternatively you can download the timetable(PDF, 111KB).
Frequently asked questions
General information
What is three and four-year-old sessional kindergarten?
Three and four-year-old sessional kindergarten (sometimes called ‘funded kindergarten’, ‘preschool’ or ‘early years education’) is a two-year early education program for children before they start primary school.
Where is funded kindergarten offered?
Funded kindergarten is offered in:
- stand-alone community sessional kindergartens (during school terms)
- long day child care centres, children's centres and early learning centres.
Visit Find a Kinder for a map of all funded kindergarten services.
Is my child eligible?
Children who turn three or four before 30 April in the year they attend are eligible for kindergarten.
For example, children who are born between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023 will be eligible to start funded kindergarten in 2026.
How many hours of funded kindergarten can my child have?
Eligible children can receive funding for 15 hours per week for four-year-old kindergarten and 5-15 hours per week for three-year-old kindergarten.
In 2026 some four year old children will be eligible for 16-25 hours of funded Pre-Prep kindergarten. To find out more see the Victorian Government’s Pre-prep Calculator.
Sessional kindergarten operates on certain days and at specific times. These days and times are set by the kindergarten service. To find out more download the timetables(PDF, 111KB).
Registration process
What is the kindergarten central registration scheme?
Council facilitates an equitable and transparent registration and allocation process for families to access community operated sessional kindergarten in their local area. Families can nominate three kindergarten group options and participate in the allocation process.
View our map to find participating sessional kindergartens in Kingston.
How are registrations prioritised?
Children are prioritised based on the Victorian Government’s Kindergarten Funding Guidelines, if the child is moing from three to four-year-old kindergarten, the child’s residential proximity, and any prior connection to the first option group.
How do I register my child?
Council administers the sessional kindergarten registration and allocation process on behalf of participating sessional kindergarten services.
All you need to do is submit our free online registration form and nominate your three group options, these can be at the same or different kindergartens, and we’ll take care of the rest.
A group refers to the set days and times the kindergarten offers in their timetable.
View our map above to find participating sessional kindergarten services and their timetables.
When can I submit my registration form?
Registrations open each year on 1 May for kindergarten in the following year. For example, if your child is eligible to commence kindergarten in 2026 you can submit your registration from 1 May 2025.
Registration received before 30 June will be included in the first allocation round.
Submitting a registration form does not guarantee a kindergarten placement and is not a confirmed enrolment.
When are places allocated?
There are three formal allocation rounds held in July and August in the year before your child attends kindergarten. To be included in the first allocation round, submit your registration by 30 June.
Allocation rounds for kindergarten in 2026:
- 28 July - 1 August 2025
- 11 - 15 August 2025
- 25 - 29 August 2025
Ad hoc allocations are made all year round where there are vacancies.
What if I don't get my first group or kindergarten option?
You can:
- stay on the wait list until there is a vacancy
- accept an offer for a different group or kindergarten and remain on the wait list for a place at your preferred kindergarten or group
Registration doesn’t guarantee a kindergarten placement.
How do I change my kindergarten group options?
You can change your kindergarten group preference at any time by submitting your information using our online form or send an email to kindergartenenrolment@kingston.vic.gov.au.
Three-year-old kindergarten
Can my child start kindergarten before they turn three?
Children who turn three in the year they start kinder usually start from their third birthday. Depending on staff numbers and demand, some kindergartens may allow your child to start early. Check with your preferred kindergarten.
Can my child repeat a year of three-year-old kindergarten?
Yes, if your child meets the Victorian Government’s eligibility requirements for a second year of three-year-old kindergarten and it is supported by the educators.
Children who repeat three-year-old kindergarten won’t be able to repeat four-year-old kindergarten as well.
Why do the number of funded hours differ between kindergartens?
Funded three-year-old kindergarten is new and will gradually be rolled out by the State Government over the next few years. Most kindergarten services already offer 15 hours of funded three-year-old kindergarten, and some are working towards that and may offer less hours. To find out more about what kindergartens offer, view our map above which includes timetable information or alternatively you can download the timetable(, 0B).
Four-year-old kindergarten
Will I be guaranteed a place at the same kindergarten my child attends three-year-old?
You only need to submit one registration form for three and four-year-old kindergarten, however places are allocated separately.
Every effort will be made to place children at the same kindergarten for both years.
Can my child repeat four-year-old kindergarten?
Yes, if your child meets the Victorian Government’s criteria for a second year of four-year-old kindergarten, and it is supported by the educators, and they didn’t repeat three-year-old kindergarten.
What if my child hasn’t attended three-year-old kindergarten, can I still register for a place in four-year-old?
Yes.
Cost and funding
How much does kindergarten cost?
The Victorian Government has announced that funded kindergarten will be free for eligible children attending a participating service.
Additional hours offered may be offered by a service that are optional and will incur a fee.
Can my child attend more than one funded kindergarten program?
No. Only one service can claim kindergarten funding for your child each year.
More information about kindergarten funding is available from the Victorian Government's quick kinder guide.
What is Early Start Kindergarten?
Early Start Kindergarten provides up to 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten to eligible three-year-old children where the programs are offered by a qualified teacher.
You can email us at kindergartenenrolment@kingston.vic.gov.au or get in touch with your kindergarten directly for more information.
What is Pre-Prep?
From 2025, four-year-old kindergarten will gradually transition to Pre-Prep, with programs across Victoria increasing from 15 to 30 hours each week by 2036.
For more information see the Victorian Government’s Pre-prep Calculator.
Where can I get more information?
More information about kindergarten funding is available from the Victorian Government's quick kinder guide.
For more information about the kindergarten registration process or to provide us with feedback please contact the Kindergarten Central Registration Team on 9581 4851.