Kindergarten in Victoria
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1159442185
Kinder animation script
If you have a two or three-year-old child, now’s the time to think about starting kindergarten.
Kindergarten programs, also called kinder, are free in Victoria for three- and four-year-olds at participating sessional kinders.
Or if your child goes to a kinder program in a long day care centre, the government helps cover part of your fees each year.
Kinder programs at long day care centres and sessional kinders both offer quality programs led by qualified teachers.
Two years of kinder before school is an opportunity to boost your child’s learning, development and well-being while they play, make friends and have fun.
So, what do kinder programs look like in Victoria?
Three-Year-Old Kinder programs are between five and 15 hours each week.
With different hours available, session times may vary.
There are services that offer shorter session times, which might suit some families, while longer hours may work better for other families.
Four-Year-Old Kinder provides 15 hours each week.
This has started to increase to between 16 and 30 hours as Four-Year-Old Kinder becomes Pre-Prep over the coming years.
Pre-Prep started in six local government areas in 2025, with more areas being added each year.
Pre-Prep will be available to some children no matter where they live in Victoria before it rolls out to all children in their local government area. See the website for full details of the roll-out.
It’s an exciting time in early childhood education in Victoria!
Use the ‘Find a Kinder’ website to help you find kinders nearby. You could go to an open day.
If you need assistance enrolling, have a chat to your local council or kinder.
We’re all here to help!
And want to see as many children in kinder as possible, because …
Two years of kinder gives every child the best start in life.
[End transcript]
Updated 12 February 2026
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