Funded Kindergarten Programs
3-Year-Old's
Children must be 3 years of age by the 30th April in the year of attendance to be eligible to attend. Children whose birthday is between January and April will not be able to start until they have had their 3rd birthday
4-5-Year-Old's
Children must be 4 before the 30th of April in the year of attendance but can start in their respective group prior to their 4th birthday
Accessing a Funded Kindergarten Program
The Victorian Government provides funding so children can access a kindergarten program for up to 2 years before they start school.
If your child is accessing either of these programs for the required time in the funded kindergarten program, they will be counted as an eligible child when we submit our data to the Department Education and Training.
Your child/ren can only be counted at one location and can attend only one funded program at any one time.
It is important for families to note that it is difficult to access more than one year of kindergarten for four and five year old children. If your child has a February, March or April birthdate we strongly recommend you speak to our experienced staff to consider the best options for them as it is common for children with these birth dates to defer and attend the following year. Current funding arrangements limit your ability to wait and see, so we encourage you to have the conversations while you have a choice. Once informed, we fully support the choice you make for your child.
Long Day Care Program
Residence of the Hobson’s Bay City Council, rate payers of, or parents/guardians who work a minimum of 3 days in the municipality are considered eligible.
Children residing outside of the Hobsons Bay Municipality will be considered eligible once all applicants from the Hobsons Bay municipality have been offered places.
3-Year-Old's
Children must be 3 years of age by the 30th April in the year of attendance to be eligible to attend. Children whose birthday is between January and April will not be able to start until they have had their 3rd birthday and if they are enrolled in the long daycare program are required to pay the daily fee for all booked days until they are able to commence. (Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is not available on days prior to the child's physical start day)
4-5-Year-Old's
Children must be 4 before the 30th of April in the year of attendance but can start in their respective group prior to their 4th birthday