Introduction to kindergarten
Registering for Kindergarten
Kindergarten registrations open each year on 31 March for both 3- and 4-year old kindergarten.
On-time registrations close on 30 May for 4-year-old kindergarten and on 3 August for 3-year-old kindergarten each year.
Registrations are still accepted after these dates but will be considered “late”. For more detailed information about the registration and offer processes please refer to the 2024-2025 Kindergarten Central Registration Information Book(PDF, 1MB).
Benefits of attending kindergarten
Kindergarten is an important step for young children and it is strongly recommended all children go to kindergarten.
Research has shown that:
- early education helps set children up for a bright future
- attending two years of quality kindergarten has even greater benefits
- at kindergarten children learn skills that they'll take with them throughout their life.
Kindergarten improves children’s health and wellbeing, helps them to develop strong social skills and encourages a love of learning.
Children who go to kindergarten are more independent and confident and are more likely to make a smooth move to primary school.
For more information on the benefits of kinder, visit the Department of Education and Training website.
How to choose a kindergarten
As some kindergartens can be oversubscribed, you are advised to visit as many kindergartens in your area as possible and decide which kindergarten best suits your child's needs.
Nominating kindergarten preferences
You are only required to nominate one (1) kindergarten preference. Due to limited availability you are not guaranteed to receive a place at your preferred kindergarten. If there are no vacancies at your preferred kindergarten you will be added to that waiting list. You can only be on ONE list – you cannot be on multiple waiting lists and you cannot accept an offer of a place at one kindergarten and also be on a waiting list for another kindergarten.
Do NOT submit multiple registrations for different kindergartens. Only one registration per child per year. If you need to amend an existing registration please contact the Kindergarten Registration and Liaison Officer on 9784 1862 or email info@frankston.vic.gov.au.
If you would like to inquire further about kindergarten vacancies for the current year, please contact the Kindergarten Registration and Liaison Officer on 9784 1862.
Kindergarten/school readiness
Legally, children must be 5 years old by 30 April of the year they are commencing school. They may commence school in the year they turn 6 years of age.
If you would like more information about kindergarten please visit the Department of Education and Training website.
Kindergarten groups and session times
Kindergartens set their own session times. These sometimes vary from year to year depending on demand. Most kindergartens do not set their session times until the kindergarten offer process is almost finalised, as it is not known until this time what the numbers are for each service.
Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plan
The Victorian Government has committed to implement funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten for all children over a 10-year roll-out with a total investment of almost $5 billion, including $1.68 billion to support the infrastructure expansion required for the reform. This will add another year of universal funded kindergarten providing all children with two years of play based learning before the commencement of primary school.
Frankston City Council is working in partnership with the Victorian Government to support the rollout of three-year-old Kindergarten and identify service demand for each local area across the municipality. Council was invited by the Department of Education and Training (DET) to discuss and agree upon a Kindergarten Infrastructure and Service Plan (KISP) for Frankston City.
The KISP estimates future demand for kindergarten places against existing supply at a local area level. It is intended to be used as a tool to support Council, as well as not-for-profit and for-profit kindergarten providers operating in Frankston City, with service planning.
For more information on the KISP please go to the Department of Education and Training website.
A copy of the KISP can be found under Related Information.