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When can my child begin kindergarten

Sessional kindergarten operates during school terms with set hours for each session. In the City of Casey, sessional kindergarten is run by both Council and external providers.

Families will be able to register their child for kindergarten in the year before their child turns 3.

Children must be 3 years old before they can start kindergarten. Children born between January and April can start:

  • 3-year-old kindergarten in the year they turn 3 or 4
  • 4-year-old kindergarten in the year they turn 4 or 5

Families need to decide the year their child will begin kindergarten. Use the kindergarten age calculator to help you decide.

Important Note: 

  • Kindergarten is not compulsory
  • Children do not need to be an Australian citizen to attend.

Kindergarten age calculator

We have a useful tool to help you calculate when your child can attend 3-year-old or 4-year-old kindergarten based on the year they were born.

To use the calculator, enter your child's date of birth.

The calculator will tell you:

  • The year your child can start 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten
  • How old they will be when they start kindergarten
  • How old they will be when they start school.
     
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I have read and agree to the City of Casey’s Privacy Policy. We will only use the personal information you provided for the purposes for which it was collected and any other authorised use. The information we collect may also be used for our planning and research purposes to improve the services to the community. We will never reveal personal information we collect to third parties unless disclosure is required or authorised by law. If you have any queries or need further information on privacy-related matters, please contact Council’s Privacy Officer.

Kindergarten Term Dates

Kindergarten terms follow the Victorian school term dates. See term dates at School term dates and holidays in Victoria | vic.gov.au .

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What types of programs Kindergartens offer?

Sessional kindergartens may run different programs:

  • 5 hours per day, 3 days a week
  • 7.5 hours per day, 2 days a week
  • 6 hours per day, 2 days a week, plus 3 hours on 1 day (either morning or afternoon)

Kindergarten programs may include children aged 3 to 6. Programs may be:

  • same age groups (all 3-year-olds or all 4-year-olds)
  • mixed-age groups (both 3-year-old and 4-year-old children)
What are Mixed-Age Groups?

Sessional kindergartens may run different programs:

  • 5 hours per day, 3 days a week
  • 7.5 hours per day, 2 days a week
  • 6 hours per day, 2 days a week, plus 3 hours on 1 day (either morning or afternoon)

Kindergarten programs may include children aged 3 to 6. Programs may be:

  • same age groups (all 3-year-olds or all 4-year-olds)
  • mixed-age groups (both 3-year-old and 4-year-old children)
Early Start Kindergarten (ESK)

Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) gives priority access to some children. To be eligible, your child must be 3 years old by 30 April and meet one of these criteria:

  • supported by Child Protection or in Out-of-Home Care
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • refugee or asylum seeker with a special visa.

More information: Early Start Kindergarten | Victorian Government 

Free Kindergarten and the Funded Kindergarten Program

Free Kindergarten

The Victorian Government has made kindergarten free for all 3-year-old and 4-year-old children. This helps every child get the best start in life.

You can find more details in the flyer, which is available in these languages:

Funded Kindergarten Program

The Victorian Government funds approved kindergartens for families to access:

  • up to 15 hours each week for 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten
  • 16 to 25 hours each week for Pre-Prep programs from 2026 in the 4-year-old program only.

Funded kindergarten programs must be approved by the Department of Education and led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher.

This kindergarten funding is separate from the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). CCS is managed by Centrelink. Council-managed kindergartens in Casey only run funded sessional programs, so CCS does not apply.

How many funded services can my child attend?

Children can only be funded at one kindergarten at a time. If they move to a new service during the year, the first service must stop claiming funding before the new one can start.

How long can my child attend funded kindergarten?

Children can access:

  • one year of funded 3-year-old kindergarten
  • one year of funded 4-year-old kindergarten.

Children may have access to an additional year of kindergarten if they are assessed as eligible by the kindergarten teacher. Please visit the Department's website for further information: Does my child need an additional year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep? | vic.gov.au 

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