From 2022, as part of the State Government's Kindergarten Reform, every Victorian three-year-old child will be able to access a minimum of five hours per week of funded three-year-old kindergarten, progressively scaling up to 15 hours per week by 2029.
Research shows that quality play-based learning is a powerful way to support children’s learning and development. The benefits last into the school years and beyond.
The City of Whittlesea is committed to supporting the community in accessing quality education services and is working in partnership with the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET), Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the services to plan for the funded three-year-old Kindergarten programs to commence in 2022.
Council is not a manager of kindergarten services in Whittlesea however it does manage the Kindergartens Central Application Scheme.
When and how will I apply for 3 year old kindergarten?
For 2021 - contact your local kindergarten or child care centre
For 2022 - Applications will open 1st February 2021 for 3 year old funded kindergarten
The following table provides a quick reference for application details:
Date of birth range | Three-year-old kindergarten | Four-year-old kindergarten | Applications open | ||
|
Year of attendance | Apply via | Year of attendance | Apply via | |
1 May 2016 – 30 April 2017 |
N/A | N/A | 2021 | City of Whittlesea | Now |
1 May 2017 – 30 April 2018 |
2021 | Direct with kindergarten | 2022 | City of Whittlesea | Now |
1 May 2018 – 30 April 2019 |
2022 | City of Whittlesea | 2023 | City of Whittlesea | 1 Feb 2021 |
1 May 2019 – 30 April 2020 |
2023 | City of Whittlesea | 2024 | City of Whittlesea | 1 Feb 2022 |
Department of Education and Training website.
As planning continues for 2022, we will update this website as information is available.