Three-year-old kindergarten

Government subsidised three-year-old kindergarten is available now in Colac and coming to Geelong in 2022!

Two years of kindergarten are better than one

Kindergarten programs subsidised by the Victorian Government are now available for three-year-olds throughout Colac Otway Shire, including Colac East, Winifred Nance and Wydinia kindergartens. This means an extra year of learning, playing and making friends.

In 2022, Five hours of three-year-old kindergarten will subsidised in Geelong including Belmont, Flinders (Lara), Greenville (Grovedale) and St Albans Park kindergartens.

Research consistently shows that two years of kindergarten are better than one. That’s why the Victorian Government is subsidising access to an extra year of kindergarten – ensuring our kids are ready for school, and set for life.

The skills we learn as children set the foundation for the rest of our lives. Starting kindergarten at three years of age gives children the best start.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How old does my child need to be?

  Aged three by April 30 in the year they will attend.

  *Children who are not yet three at the beginning of the kindergarten year may start on or after their third birthday.

• Is my child ready for three-year-old kindergarten?

  Once your child starts three year-old-kindergarten they will progress on to four-year-old the year after, then on to school. If your child starts too early in three-year-old kindergarten they may not be ready to make these transitions successfully.

  To ensure your child has a positive experience in their early years education, it is recommended you discuss readiness for three-year-old kindergarten with the Early Childhood Teacher at one of our BCYF kindergartens.

• How many hours will my child attend?

  The government is subsidising up to 15 hours per week at all three BCYF Colac kindergarten settings.

  In 2022 the government is subsidising 5 hours per week at Geelong kindergartens. Kindergartens in some areas of Victoria need time to build or extend infrastructure.

  It is expected all kindergartens in Victoria will offer 15 hours of subsidised kindergarten by 2029.

• Do fees apply?

  Yes they do.

  But the Victorian Government now subsidises approximately two thirds of the cost of delivering kindergarten program, and fees paid by families will cover the remaining cost, making three-year-old kindergarten more affordable for all.

• Did you know?

  Families can access a kindergarten program at low or no cost if their child:

  • is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • is a triplet or quadruplet
  • is covered by a Health Care Card
  • holds an eligible concession card or refugee, humanitarian or asylum seeker visa, or their parent or guardian does

  For more information, visit:
  www.education.vic.gov.au/3yokinder
  www.vic.gov.au/give-your-child-the-best-start-in-life

• Can I register now for Colac subsidised kindergarten 2021, Geelong in 2022 and beyond?

  Yes you can, by filling out the online registration form below, or by filling out a form located at one of our Colac or Geelong BCYF kinders:

  Colac East Kindergarten: 1 Polwarth Street, Colac, (03) 5231 2617

  Winifred Nance Kindergarten: 5 Gilmartin Street, Colac, (03) 5231 4749

  Wydinia Kindergarten and Early Learning Centre: 19 Dunoon Street, Colac, (03) 5231 4552

  Belmont Kindergarten: 44 Kidman Avenue, Belmont, (03) 5243 4807

  Flinders Kindergarten: 3 Kees Road Lara, (03) 5282 2091

  Greenville Kindergarten (Grovedale): 58 Greenville Drive, Grovedale, (03) 5243 7812

  St Albans Park Kindergarten: 43-53 Homestead Drive, St Albans Park, (03) 5248 4539

For further inquiries please email KCMadmin@bcyf.org.au

Or for more information, visit:
www.education.vic.gov.au/3yokinder
www.vic.gov.au/give-your-child-the-best-start-in-life