All about kindergarten - Department of Education and Training

1 What to look for when you What will happen if your child Where can I get advice Go to page 4 for more information about becomes unwell or upset? free kindergarten for three-year-olds. visit a service on the best time to start Does the service have a kindergarten Some children with developmental delays Were you made to feel welcome? High-quality kindergarten programs certificate on display? This certificate kindergarten ? who complete four-year-old kindergarten All about kindergarten shows that a kindergarten program If you are unsure about the best time may benefit from completing a second are based on a partnership between for your child to start a kindergarten year of funded kindergarten before going receives funding from the Victorian families and educators.

2 Did the program, ask a kindergarten educator on to school. Government and is taught by a educators ask questions about your for advice. Find out how the kindergarten qualified early childhood teacher. child and your family? Were the Talk to a kindergarten educator if program can support your child. educators interested in your questions What is the service's rating against you would like to know more about and concerns? the National Quality Standard (part Meet with the principal or a teacher at the these options. of an Australia-wide quality system school that your child is likely to attend. If your child was with you, did the of Education and care services)? Talk about the best time for your child to Do you need an interpreter? educators engage directly with your Can you see the written assessment?

3 Start Prep. Find out how the Prep program The Victorian Government provides a child (rather than speaking to your Is there a waiting list for places? can support your child. free interpreter service for families child through you)? Do you need to pay a deposit to enrol As well, you can talk with your child's attending funded kindergarten Are there a variety of fun and or to be put on the waiting list? Tell Maternal and Child Health nurse, family programs. Ask your child's kindergarten challenging learning opportunities the service if you are not able to pay doctor and any other professionals your educator or service manager to call the that celebrate the cultures of the the deposit. child sees (for example, speech therapist, free interpreter service.)

4 Children who use the service? physiotherapist or paediatrician). Do the indoor and outdoor areas offer How old should my Related links the children stimulating learning child be when they start Can my child go to Free or low cost kindergarten . experiences for example, the kindergarten ? kindergarten for more opportunity to explore and discover parents/ kindergarten / new things? Is there space for the It is usual for children to attend a than one year? children to play with others or alone? kindergarten program in the year before Free kindergarten for three-year-olds . Children who are: Are there spaces where children can they start primary school. This is often Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait childhood/parents/ kindergarten /Pages/. go to be quiet? called four-year-old kindergarten '.

5 Islander, or Have your questions ready Your child can start school if they turn known to Child Protection, or referred Second year of kindergarten for children five years old by 30 April of the year How will the educators work with you Child Protection to Child FIRST with developmental delays . they start school. Your child must be to support your child's learning? enrolled in school by the age of six, can go to kindergarten for free or at unless they have an exemption. So, low cost for two years before they childhood/parents/ kindergarten /Pages/. How will the educators include your if your child's birthday falls before start primary school, usually starting child's interests? 30 April in the calendar year, you have a when they are three years old.

6 What opportunities will there be to choice about whether to enrol your child discuss your child's progress? in school in the year they turn five or If your child has additional needs , the next year. Children learn at different how will the service support you rates, in different ways, and at different and your child? times. In some cases, your child may How does the program encourage benefit from starting a kindergarten positive behaviour? program later. Prepared by: Department of Education and Training 2, Treasury Place, East Melbourne Melbourne 3002. State of Victoria August 2015. 5 6. Children go to a kindergarten program in the year before starting Where can I find Look for this certificate, which shows that a kindergarten program receives school, usually when they are four years old.

7 Some services also a kindergarten ? funding from the Victorian Government offer kindergarten programs for three-year-olds. Some kindergartens run as stand-alone and is delivered by a qualified early services (for example, community childhood teacher. Go to page 6 for advice about choosing the best time for your child kindergartens). Other kindergarten to start kindergarten . programs are run through long day care centres or schools. What is kindergarten ? What happens at To find a kindergarten program in your kindergarten (also called preschool) is a kindergarten ? local area (or area of choice) visit a program for young children delivered A high-quality kindergarten program by a qualified early childhood teacher. will offer your child a range of learning or contact your local council, experiences and activities that are both which you can find by visiting Why should my child stimulating and fun.

8 Your child's learning Your child is eligible if they: Ask your child's kindergarten educator go to kindergarten ? and curiosity will be encouraged through Go to page 4 for advice about choosing are an Aboriginal and/or Torres or service manager for more information experiences and activities, such as Strait Islander about free kindergarten programs for kindergarten is an important step a kindergarten program that suits exploring the natural world, being exposed three-year-olds. for young children and is strongly your family. are a triplet or quadruplet to new ideas and solving problems. recommended for all children. All children can attend hold (or have a parent or guardian who Choosing a kindergarten Your child will be able to: Research shows that kindergarten kindergarten Services that offer kindergarten programs holds) an eligible concession card program improves children's health and wellbeing, learn to work with others and make often charge fees to help meet the cost or refugee, humanitarian or asylum of running the programs.

9 Fees are set seeker visa. Every family is different. This means the helps them to develop strong social skills friends through group activities kindergarten is for all children. If your by individual services and can vary kindergarten program you choose should and encourages a love of learning. and cooperative play child has a disability or learning difficulty, Ask your child's kindergarten educator depending on how many hours your child be a good fit with your child and family. express their creativity, for example, the educators will talk with you about or service manager if you think your child Children who go to a kindergarten attends, group size and extra costs such through dance, movement and art how the program and environment can may be eligible for a fee subsidy.

10 It's a good idea to start looking for a program are more independent and as excursions. support your child. kindergarten program early, as enrolment confident and are more likely to make build their communication skills by a smooth transition to primary listening to and having conversations If you need support to enrol your child How many hours a week can Free kindergarten for processes vary across Victoria. Some services accept applications when school (Prep). with the educators and other children in a kindergarten program or to find a my child go to kindergarten ? three-year-olds children turn two. program that suits your family contact develop the skills that they need for The Victorian Government subsidises your local council. Most four-year-old kindergarten programs Once you have a shortlist of kindergarten reading, writing and mathematics.