Kindergarten

We support Kindergartens on the Peninsula through coordination of the Kindergarten Central Registration (KCR) and use of Shire-owned buildings.

Information for parents and carers

  • Kindergarten Central Registration
  • Kindergartens on the Peninsula
  • Early Start Kindergarten
  • Access to Early Learning

Kindergarten Central Registration is a streamlined and transparent application and allocation process that is fair and equitable for all families to support their access to community Kindergarten programs across the Shire.

Kindergarten registration for 2024

Registrations for Kindergarten in 2024

The Kindergarten registration process

Key dates

  • Kindergarten registrations for 2024 opened on Wednesday, 1 March 2023 at 9:00am
  • The 'on-time' registration period closed on Sunday, 16 July 2023 at 11:59pm
  • 'Late' registrations will be available from Monday, 17 July 2023 at 9:00am

Changes to 2024 Kindergarten Priority of Access / Allocation Criteria

From 2024, the Sibling Priority (Level 3) has been extended to include families who are registering siblings for both Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten at the same service in the same year.

Download the 2024 Kindergarten Central Registration Information Book(PDF, 274KB) for further details.

Kindergarten timetables for 2024

2024 Timetables

2024 Kindergarten timetables can be found below (for services participating in the Shire's KCR process). Additional timetables will be provided as they are received from the individual services.

Information about Kindergartens

For information about individual Kindergartens (including timetables, where available) view our Kindergarten Listing.

Download: Services offering Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2024(PDF, 69KB)

Download: Services offering Four-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2024(PDF, 64KB)

For assistance in working out the best year to send your child to Kindergarten, visit Kindergarten – Best Start, Best Life

Visit the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website for Kindergarten assessment and rating information.

Kindergarten programs

Both Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs are offered across the Peninsula, including sessional Kindergartens operating in Shire-owned buildings, private providers and Kindergarten programs offered in long day care and / or early learning centres.

Search for a Kindergarten program in the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

In Victoria, Kindergarten is not compulsory however the Kindergarten experience is valuable in providing children with the opportunity to learn and develop skills through a play-based curriculum and can also assist children in their transition to primary school. For further information, visit: Department of Education website - Kindergarten

For information about free Kindergarten, visit Department of Education website - Best Start Best Life

A second year of Funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten may be considered when a child shows delays in learning and development outcome areas, 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

For further information, visit Second Year of Funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.

Some services may operate under a trading name which includes the word "preschool" and not "kindergarten". The Shire aligns with the same terminology as the State Government by referring to all of our services as Kindergartens.

Early Start Kindergarten – your child may be eligible

Early Start Kindergarten gives eligible children 15 hours of free Kindergarten a week for 2 years before starting school. It is delivered by a degree qualified early childhood teacher.

Children are eligible for Early Start Kindergarten if:

  • They are aged 3 by 30 April in the year they will be attending a Kindergarten program and:
  • They identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, or
  • Your family has had contact with Child Protection, or
  • They are a refugee or asylum seeker.

Further information on Early Start Kindergarten can be found at Early Start Kindergarten.

Access To Early Learning

Access to Early Learning (AEL) is an early intervention and outreach program funded by the Department of Education and supported by OzChild on the Mornington Peninsula. AEL provides an experienced facilitator to work with families, educators and services in supporting eligible children to fully participate in quality early childhood education.

AEL facilitators help to strengthen participation through:

  • identifying and supporting children and families’ access to 15 hours of high-quality kindergarten
  • working with families to address any barriers that may prevent their child attending or participating in kindergarten
  • strengthening parents’ capacity to support their child’s ongoing engagement in early learning
  • strengthening the home learning environment through in-home learning interventions
  • building capacity in the local service system, including providing mentoring and professional learning for educators supporting children.

To be eligible for AEL, children must be referred by either Child FIRST/family services (including The Orange Door), Child Protection or Enhanced Maternal and Child Health services.

Further Information

Kindergarten registration for 2023 - late registrations

Registrations for Kindergarten 2023

Free Kindergarten in 2023

The Kindergarten registration process

Key dates

  • Kindergarten registrations for 2023 opened on Tuesday, 1 March, 2022
  • The 'on-time' registration period closed on Sunday, 17 July, 2022 at 11:59pm
  • 'Late' registrations continue to be accepted - visit the appropriate link above

Further information

For further information on Kindergarten, contact us on 1300 850 600 or email kindergarten@mornpen.vic.gov.au.

Kindergarten Infrastructure Services Plan (KISP)

A Kindergarten Infrastructure Services Plan (KISP) has been developed by the Victorian Government in conjunction with the Shire to support service planning.