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Kindergarten for culturally and linguistically diverse children

Kindergarten is important for all children.

On this page

Why kindergarten?

Kindergarten will help your child learn the skills they need that will help them do well in future years at school. It will help them:

You, as a parent or caregiver, are supported and encouraged to be a part of your child’s education, helping to build on the learning that your child is already doing at home.

What happens at kindergarten?

At kindergarten, your child can:

Respecting cultural identity

Kindergarten groups will often have a number of children from different cultures and backgrounds. All children should feel welcome, regardless of their background.

You are encouraged to talk with your child’s teacher about your own cultures and beliefs, and how these can be incorporated into the activities at kindergarten.

Enrol your child in kindergarten

To be eligible for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, your child must turn 4 years old by 30 April in the year they go to kindergarten.

Early Start Kindergarten also offers 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten to eligible three-year-old children, including children from a refugee and asylum seeker background.

To enrol your child, speak to your local council or your closest kindergarten: Find a school or early childhood service.

Stories of CALD communities at kindergarten

School readiness

https://player.vimeo.com/video/367944355?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0

How to enrol in kindergarten

https://player.vimeo.com/video/367942734?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0

Spread the word about CALD

Help us spread the word about CALD community participation in kindergarten by displaying a poster, distributing postcards or brochures, sharing the videos above, or by including information about kindergarten and this page in your newsletters or on social media.

Posters, brochures and postcards

Order print materials using our online form(opens in a new window), or download and print your own copies using the links below.

Vietnamese

Chinese

Somali

English

Open all

Enrol your child in kindergarten

At kindergarten, your child will make new friends, enjoy fun activities and get ready for school.

Your child will:

If your child turns 3 or 4 years old by 30 April they can attend kindergarten for 15 hours per week.

For more information visit: [Link to this webpage: https://www.vic.gov.au/kindergarten-culturally-and-linguistically-diver…]

Post 1

At kindergarten, your child will make new friends, enjoy fun activities and get ready for school. Enrol today. [Link to this webpage: https://www.vic.gov.au/kindergarten-culturally-and-linguistically-diver…]

Post 2

Kindergarten is a program where your child can have fun and learn through play and activities. Your child can socialise with other children, develop confidence, and build reading, writing and maths skills to help them get ready for school. [Link to this webpage: https://www.vic.gov.au/kindergarten-culturally-and-linguistically-diver…]

Post 3

Children make new friends, enjoy fun activities and get ready for school when they go to kinder. Enrol your child today! [Link to this webpage: https://www.vic.gov.au/kindergarten-culturally-and-linguistically-diver…]

Education & trainingParents & carers

Updated 26 March 2026

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