Starting kindergarten

From 1 July 2021, Council will no longer be registering children for kindergarten from birth. Families will be able to register their child for kindergarten in the year before their child turns 3.

Kindergarten age calculator

We have a handy tool to help you calculate when your child can attend 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten based on the year they were born.

To use the calculator, enter your child's date of birth. The calculator will tell you:

The year your child can start 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten
How old they will be when they start kindergarten
How old they will be when they start school

Child's date of birth (required)

Kindergarten options

Calculated for a child born on Date of Birth .

Year	Age at January	Kindergarten program

Your child is eligible to start 3-year-old kindergarten this year.

Research has shown that attending two years of kindergarten supports better learning outcomes for children.

Your child will be when they start school in .

Your child is eligible to start 4-year-old kindergarten this year.

Research has shown that attending kindergarten supports better learning outcomes for children.

Your child will be when they start school in .

Your child is eligible to start 3-year-old kindergarten this year, or can wait until next year.

Your child must be 3 years old before they commence kindergarten. We will hold your child’s kindergarten place until your child turns 3 and you will not be charged fees for this period. When your child turns 3, they can start to attend 3-year-old kindergarten.

You need to decide when is best for your child to begin kindergarten. Research has shown that attending two years of kindergarten supports better learning outcomes for children.

If they start 3 year old kinder this year they will be when they start school in .

Your child is eligible to start 3 year old or 4 year old kindergarten this year

Research has shown that attending kindergarten supports better learning outcomes for children.

If they start 4 year old kindergarten this year they will be will be when they start school in .

Your child is eligible to start 4-year-old kindergarten or school this year.

Attending 4-year-old kindergarten is recommended as research has shown it supports better learning outcomes.

If they start 4 year old kindergarten this year they will be when they start school in .

Privacy statement

We will handle any personal information you provided in this form in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You can access your personal information by contacting our Privacy Officer on 9705 5200. For more information please see our Privacy Policy.

3-year-old kindergarten

Children born between 1 January and 30 April

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April, your child can begin 3-year-old kindergarten in the year they turn 3 or 4. Your child needs to be 3 years of age before they commence 3-year-old kindergarten.

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April, we will hold your child’s kindergarten place until your child turns 3. You will not be charged kindergarten fees for the period while they are waiting to turn 3. Once your child turns 3, they can start to attend the 3-year-old kindergarten program.

You need to decide when is best for your child to begin kindergarten. You need to make this decision before your child begins kindergarten.

4-year-old kindergarten

Children born between 1 January and 30 April

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April, your child can begin 4-year-old kindergarten in the year they turn 4 or 5. You need to decide when is best for your child to begin kindergarten. You need to make this decision before your child begins kindergarten.

Deciding when your child should start kindergarten

The Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) has resources to help you decide when your child should begin kindergarten. 

Council also has Preschool School Field Officers who can assist families making a decision. Please contact us and ask to speak with a PreSchool Field Officer or email at psfo@casey.vic.gov.au

If you change your mind about when your child should start kindergarten, you must complete our change of kindergarten registration form.

Kindergarten term dates

Find future kindergarten term dates on the Victorian Department of Education and Training website.

Early Start Kindergarten

Your child may be able to start 4-year-old kindergarten early for two reasons:

They qualify for the Victorian Government's Early Start Kindergarten program (ESK).
They are considered a gifted child.

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