Kindergarten
The Shire supports the delivery of Kindergarten services for families by providing community infrastructure and Kindergarten Central Registration (KCR).
This page contains information on:
- Kindergarten Central Registration for 2021 and 2022 attendance
- Information about Kindergartens on the Peninsula
- Early Start Kindergarten
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.
Changes to 2022 Kindergarten Priority of Access / Allocation Criteria
On 23 February, 2021 the Shire reviewed the Priority of Access / Allocation Criteria for the Kindergarten Central Registration process.
We would like to thank community members who took the time to complete our poll. These responses provided important feedback that assisted with the review process.
For 2022 Kindergarten registrations, the Priority of Access / Allocation Criteria will be as follows (please refer to the 2022 Kindergarten Central Registration Information Book for further details):
- Level 1: children identified as high priority
- Level 2: children who qualify for the sibling priority (previously Level 3)
- Level 3: children registering for the Kindergarten closest to where they live (previously Level 2)
- Level 4: children in families that are Mornington Peninsula Shire residents/ratepayers
Download the 2022 Kindergarten Central Registration Information Book(PDF, 259KB) for further information.
Kindergarten registration for 2021
Information about kindergartens
Kindergarten programs
Both 3-yr old and 4-yr old Kindergarten programs are offered across the peninsula, including Community Kindergartens operating in Shire-owned buildings, private providers and Kindergarten programs offered in long day care and / or early learning centres.
In Victoria, 4-yr old 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, please visit: Education Victoria website - All About Kinder
For information about free or low cost kindergarten, please download: Education Victoria - Kinder Fee Subsidy
Your child may be eligible for a second year of funded 4-yr old Kindergarten if their early childhood teacher has assessed that your child will benefit from further support in at least two key areas of development and will achieve better outcomes at kindergarten rather than going to school, please visit Second Year of 4-yr 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 provides free or low cost kindergarten to eligible 3 year old children where programs are offered by a qualified 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 or What is Early Start Kinder.
For further information on Kindergartens, please contact the team on 5950 1099 or 1300 850 600 or email kindergarten@mornpen.vic.gov.au.