Registering for kindergarten

View session times for 2025 here(PDF, 392KB) Please note session times and days are subject to change.

Kindergarten-Sessions-2026.pdf(PDF, 412KB) Please note session times and days are subject to change.

If your child is currently attending 3-year-old kindergarten at one of the services under central enrolment, you will be sent an email after June 1 to update your preferences for 2026. Please check your spam/junk folder if you do not receive this.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 2026 

Once you have registered, if you wish to make any changes, please contact the Kindergarten Enrolment Officer by phone or email and we will update this for you. Phone 03 5018 8100 or email kindergarten@mildura.vic.gov.au

When choosing a kindergarten and planning to register your child in a three or four-year-old program, we encourage you to take your time, view kindergartens and consider options of sessions prior to submitting your registration. All registrations submitted are allocated according to the priority of access and not date submitted.

Please contact the kindergartens directly to arrange a time. 

You do not need to provide any identification, immunisation statements, concession cards etc to register. These will be provided directly to the kindergarten when enrolment forms are completed. 

To check when your child will be eligible to start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, you can use the starting age calculator. Use the Pre-Prep calculator (opens in a new window) to find out if your child is eligible to attend Pre-Prep and when they can start.

Families with children born between January 1 and April 30 can choose which year to start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. These children can start in the same year they turn 3, or in the following year.  However, they cannot physically attend until they have turned 3. Children born between May 1 and December 31 can be registered to start the following year.

To check when your child will be eligible to start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, you can use the starting age calculator. 

The year of when your child starts kindergarten does effect when they will start primary school. When enrolling in three-year-old Kindergarten, we encourage families to plan ahead and consider the age they would like their child to start school as a “2^nd year” of kindergarten must be approved by the Department of Education.

Unsure? Follow this link to find out! Sending your child to kinder | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

Registrations are no longer given preference based on the date they are received. Registration forms can be completed at any time during each round. Once rounds close, all registrations are assessed according to the Department of Education Priority of Access Criteria and locally agreed criteria. Council work closely with each of the kindergartens to ensure the best outcomes for families. 

Places are allocated using Priority of Access Criteria. Services and organisations operating a Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) must ensure their registration and enrolment policies adhere to the Department of Education’s priority of access requirements. Service providers need to be mindful of the barriers that prevent many vulnerable families from early enrolment in kindergarten programs. Service providers must have a priority of access policy in place to assist children at risk of disadvantage to access a kindergarten program.

Learn more about the Department of Education’s Priority of Access here. Priority of access for early childhood education | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au) Read our Priority of Access policy here Kindergarten-Central-Enrolment-Policy-OP116.pdf(PDF, 204KB)

Free Kinder is for everyone, regardless of your family situation.

Participating kindergartens can access Free Kinder funding, reducing or eliminating fees.

All of the standalone kindergartens accepting enrolments through Mildura Rural City Council are participating kindergartens - meaning sessions are provided at no cost to families.

You can attend both a standalone kindergarten and a long day care service, however you can only receive Free Kinder at one service at a time. Your kinder service will ask you to sign a letter, naming the service where you will receive Free Kinder funding.

If you are accessing Free Kinder at a long day care service, additional fees will apply. Please discuss this with your centre prior to enrolment.  

You do not need to be eligible for Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to receive Free Kinder, however CCS eligibility will directly affect the fees you pay to the day care centre.

To find out more about the Best Start, Best Life Reforms, please click here The Best Start, Best Life reforms | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

The Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) is a best practice model for local councils and other organisations to support families and carers to secure a kindergarten place for their child.

CRES provides a single point for families to apply for multiple kindergarten services within a local government area, helping them secure a place that meets their needs.

The CRES model is underpinned by six principles that promote consistent, inclusive and equitable access for families, service providers and support services.

You can read more about it here Kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

• Manage enrolment forms – your allocated kindergarten or their management will provide and assist with enrolment.
• Decide what days and times sessions are held at kindergarten - The kindergartens and their management determine when sessions will be held, set start dates, and conduct orientation and interviews.
• Manage the staff or educational programs – If you have questions or concerns about staffing, curriculum, or kindergarten policies, please contact your kindergarten or early years manager. These details can be found on our website.

Kindergarten Open Days(PDF, 553KB)