ELIGIBILITY

THREE & FOUR YEAR OLD

NO JAB, NO PLAY

VICTORIAN LAW Victoria's No Jab, No Play legislation requires all children to be fully vaccinated to be enrolled in kindergarten in Victoria. Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, in order to finalise an enrolment for a child in a kindergarten, the service must receive a current up-to-date Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register. 'Conscientious objection' to vaccination is not an exemption.  You can access your Immunisation History Statement via your Medicare online account through myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

THREE YEAR OLD - AGE ELIGIBILITY

* Children are eligible to apply for three year old provided they turn three years old by 30 April the year they attend.  However, no child can commence sessions until they have turned three.

* Even if your child is eligible to attend three year old in accordance with the table above, that does not mean they must attend that year. You can delay your child's attendance until the following year depending on your child's requirements. Three year old groups will have children between the ages of three and four in them so they will still be attending with their peers.

Government policy allows a funding subsidy for one year of three year old kindergarten per child. Any child accessing three year old funding will be expected to transition to four year old kinder the following year. There is no availability for children to have a second year of funded three year old kinder.

FOUR YEAR OLD - AGE ELIGIBILITY

“Families of children with birth dates between 1 January and 30 April have a choice about whether their child will commence school in the year they turn five or the following year, and therefore whether they commence kindergarten in the year they turn four or the year they turn five. Families with children born between 1 January and 30 April need to make an informed choice about which year they would like their child to commence school and therefore which year their child will attend a funded kindergarten program. Families who have questions about the best time for their child to commence school, and hence kindergarten, should discuss this decision with an early childhood teacher, Maternal and Child Health Nurse, Prep teacher or other professions involved in supporting the development of their child.”

Source - DEECD Kindergarten Guide 2014

* Children are eligible to apply for four year old kindergarten provided they turn four years old by 30 April the year they attend. Even though you can enrol your child when they are of eligible age, you do not have to. You can delay your child's kindergarten attendance until the following year if you believe that it is best for your child. Four year old kindergarten programs will have children who are four, five and sometimes even turning six in them. It is important for you to consider if your child is ready for four year old kindergarten. Advice may be sought from the Kindergarten teachers, Maternal and Child Health Nurses or Paediatricians. There is very useful literature on the subject of school readiness that may assist you in making your decision (click here for more information).

Government policy allows a funding subsidy for one year of four year old kindergarten per child in the year prior to school entry. A second year of funded kindergarten may be granted by the government in limited circumstances.  Please consult your child's teacher further regarding this issue.