APPLICATIONS are now open for 2017 four-year-old sessional kindergarten places using Kingston Council’s “simple, easy to use” central enrolment system.
Council offers one central enrolment point which covers 27 local kindergartens and ensures a fair allocation process based on a series of set criteria.
Parents can nominate their top three preferred kindergartens. Over the past two years 97 per cent of families received a place at their first choice kindergarten.
Applications for next year’s first round allocation will be accepted from 1 May to 30 June, with all applications included regardless of the date they are received in this period.
Kingston Mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said unlike some other areas, where parents had to rush to be the first applicant at several kindergartens, Kingston offered a simple one-stop for four-year-old sessional kindergarten enrolment.
“Places are prioritised based on a set of criteria including proximity and prior connection to the kindergarten,” Cr Bearsley said.
To be eligible for funded four-year-old sessional kindergarten children must turn four by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten.
Cr Bearsley said kindergarten gives children valuable opportunities to learn, make friends and develop skills in the year before they start school.
“Help your child prepare for schooling and gain valuable social skills by enrolling them in four-year-old sessional kindergarten to receive vital early years learning,” she said.
“There are also many high quality full day kindergarten options across the Kingston municipality to meet the diverse needs of children and families.”
For more information about early years enrolment options, or to complete an Enrolment Application Form, see kingston.vic.gov.au/kindergarten
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 4 May 2016