FAQ

 

  • Research shows that play-based learning is a powerful way to support children’s development. These benefits last into the school years and beyond.

    The evidence also shows that two years are better than one when it comes to early learning.

    A quality kindergarten program will have more of an impact for children who start at age three rather than four. The benefits are even greater for children who are in vulnerable circumstances.

    Children are given the opportunity to use their imagination and practice important skills, such as problem solving, through play-based learning.

    Children start to learn literacy, numeracy and language skills at kindergarten. They also learn how to get along with others, share, listen, and focus their attention.

    Teachers and educators help children become curious, creative, and confident about learning. Often, they will introduce a play-experience, idea or topic and let children lead their own learning through exploration and experimentation.

  • Children attending a funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program are not eligible to access a second year of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.

  • A second year of funded Four-Year-Old Kindergarten may be considered when a child shows delays in learning and development outcome areas in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, and when:

    • the kindergarten program is deemed to be the most appropriate learning program

    • the child will achieve better outcomes at kindergarten than if they go to school.

    In considering which educational learning environment will best support a child’s learning and development it is important that families visit and talk with the principal at the school they intend their child to go to during Term Two or Term Three to find about the school program and the types of support available for their child in Foundation.

  • Families with children born between January and April can choose which year to start Three- Year-Old kindergarten. These children can start in the same year they turn three, or in the year they turn four years of age.

    If your child will turns six in late December (between the last day of the school year and 31 December), they can attend Four-Year-Old Kindergarten in that year and attend school the following year.

    When your child starts at kindergarten directly relates to the age they will start at primary school. If you’re unsure, you can get in touch with us at info@yrkinders.com

  • Kinder is fully funded by the Victorian government, meaning there are no fees for you to pay for your child to attend kinder.

  • No. A child can only be enrolled to receive kindergarten funding at one kindergarten service.

  • You can apply for kinder any time after your child is born. We process all applications and generate timetables by June each year to set up groups and times for the next kinder year.

    To give you the best chance of receiving your first kinder preference, please apply as early as possible in the year before you would like your child to attend kinder.

  • Go to yrkinders.com/enrolment/enrol/ and follow the steps to apply for your child’s place in kinder. You’ll need to:

    • Complete and submit an application form (either online or as PDF sent to Yarra Ranges Kinders)

    • Pay a $35 administration fee

    • Once Yarra Ranges Kinders has allocated places, we will send a Letter of Offer.

    • You will need to respond to the Letter of Offer by accepting or declining.

    • If you accept your place, you will need to complete and submit a confidential enrolment form.

    • You will then be invited to attend a Parent Information Evening.

  • You should receive an automated email reply when you successfully submit your child’s kinder application.

  • Letters of offer will be sent to your email between August-October.

    When will I find out my child’s kinder group?

    Once we have finalised enrolment numbers, we will allocate your child to a group at kinder. We will give you this information at the Parent Information Evening.

  • The parent information evening is an opportunity to get to know your kinder teachers and learn how kinder works. It’s a really nice opportunity to meet staff and other parents and find out what each day will be like for your child at kinder.

  • Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, an early childhood service may not confirm the enrolment of a child unless it has certification the child is age-appropriately immunised or has an approved exemption.

    Under ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation, before enrolling a child, early childhood services will have to first obtain evidence that the child is:

    • Fully immunised for their age OR

    • On a vaccination catch-up program OR

    • Unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons.

    To read more about the No Jab, No Play legislation, visit: health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/no-jab-no-play

  • Medication
    If your child requires medication during the session, please fill out the medication form through the OWNA App and inform the staff upon arrival at kinder. Alternatively talk to the staff at kinder and they can help you complete the medication record.

    No medication can be given to your child without your written authorisation. Prescribed medication will only be given if prescribed in that child’s name. All medication must be brought to the kinder in the original bottle, with the name of the child clearly displayed, the dosage and frequency of administration.

    All medication (including asthma medication) must be handed directly to staff and NEVER left in a child’s bag.

    Allergies
    While you are completing your Confidential Enrolment Form in OWNA, you will notice that we ask you about your child allergy/anaphylaxis/asthma and general medical conditions. If your child has a diagnosed allergy, a coloured ASCIA plan will need to be prepared by your GP or Paediatrician and then attached to the enrolment form.

    The kindergarten teacher will then organise some time with you to prepare a Risk Minimization Plan and a Communication plan so that everyone involved in the care of your child is informed and aware of medical conditions.

    If your doctor has prescribed any medication for your child (ex. Zertech, Epipen, Ventolin ect), the medication

    MUST be:

    • In its original container, including the box

    • Have a label printed by the Pharmacy with the name and surname of your child, DOB and dosage to be administered

    • Within expiry date.

    • Medications should be kept at kinder, as your child won’t be able to attend kinder if his/her prescribed medication is not on premises. Your teacher will guide through this process.

    Anaphylaxis
    Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen (an allergy-causing substance). The most common causes in young children are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk, bee or other insect stings, and some medications. Please be aware that it is very difficult to eliminate all allergens from a kindergarten environment, so we work with children and families to minimise risk and educate children on appropriate allergy management. This includes not sharing snacks or lunches, open communication about allergies and how we minimise the risk, and keeping children’s medications (for example EpiPens) on site should they be required.

  • Children can attend a Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program at either a long day care (childcare) centre or at a standalone (sessional) kindergarten. These services are also likely to offer a Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program.

    A long day care centre can offer a full day of education and care, including a kindergarten program. The teacher-led kindergarten program is integrated with additional hours of education and care. At a standalone service, a kindergarten program will only operate on certain days and at specific times. These days and hours are set by the kindergarten service.

    No matter where your child goes to kindergarten, teachers and trained educators will lead the program.

  • No. In Victoria, the terms “kindergarten” and “preschool” are used interchangeably to refer to the year(s) your child attends an approved program before starting primary school.