Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten is the very exciting first step in your child’s formal educational journey. Once they begin 3-year-old kinder, the expectation is that they move on to 4-year-old kinder the year after, and then on to school the following year. To set your child up for success, consider when they are likely to gain the most benefit from starting school, as this will help you determine when their kindergarten experience should commence. It may seem a long way off, but the age your child will be when commencing and completing their secondary education should also be carefully considered as part of the decision on when they should commence kindergarten.

Age of Children

All children enrolling in our 3-year-old program must turn 3 by 30 April in the year they start. Due to staff to child ratio regulations based on age, a child cannot commence at the service until they have turned 3-years-old. Full term fees apply.

All children enrolling in our 4-year-old program must turn 4 by 30 April in the year they start 4-year-old kindergarten.

A child cannot turn six in the year they attend four-year-old kinder without a school exemption certificate. Please speak with your child’s educator about this.

Children enrolled in a 3-year-old program in 2022 will not be able to repeat the year in 2023. From 2022, both 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten programs will be funded by the State Government and therefore subject to funding conditions. A repeat year will only be possible in the 4-year-old funded program and is subject to eligibility criteria based on identified delays in the child’s development in two or more of the developmental domains.

Needing more information to make the right decision for your child?

We recognise this can be a big decision and our team are here to help if you would like to discuss your child’s personal circumstances – ebkenrolments@gmail.com.

Further information available via the Bayside City Council – ‘Is your child ready for kindergarten?’