Types of kinder programs
Learn about the different kinder programs available for your child in Victoria.
On this page
Kindergarten programs
In Victoria children can attend 2 years of funded kindergarten, also known as kinder, for 2 years before starting school:
- Three-Year-Old Kindergarten for up to 15 hours each week, followed by
- Four-Year-Old Kindergarten for 15 hours each week, or
- Pre-Prep which is for 16 to 30 hours each week.
All funded kindergarten programs in Victoria are delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher, who supports children to learn through a play-based program.
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is gradually transitioning to Pre-Prep, with programs across Victoria increasing from 15 to 30 hours each week. Other than more hours, there is no difference between Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep programs. Learn more about Pre-Prep and the roll out schedule.
Free Kinder is available for children enrolled in participating funded Three-and Four-Year-Old kindergarten and Pre-Prep. Find out more about Free Kinder.
How kinder works
In Victoria, kinder programs are offered in 2 settings: Standalone (sessional) kindergartens and long day care services.
No matter where your child goes to kinder, qualified teachers and educators will lead the program.
Standalone (sessional)
Standalone kinder services only operate during the hours of the kinder program. These services set their own days and hours and are often closed during the school holidays. They are sometimes called sessional kinder services.
Long day care centres
Long day care centres provide kinder programs combined with extra hours of care.
The extended hours can include meals, and additional educational and recreational activities for your child.
A long day care centre might suit your family if you:
- need childcare for extended hours, such as while you’re at work
- have younger children who also need care at the same time and at the same place as your kinder age child.
Kindergarten supports
Support is available to help children access and participate in kinder, including:
- Early Start Kindergarten
- Access to Early Learning
- Koorie Kids Shine
Early Start Kindergarten
Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) provides eligible 3-year-old children with 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten each week. To be eligible for ESK, children must be from a refugee or asylum seeker background, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander and/or be from a family who has had contact with Child Protection. Learn more about Early Start Kindergarten.
Access to Early Learning
Access to Early Learning (AEL) is an early intervention program for vulnerable 3-year-old children from families with complex needs. It supports these children and families to get the full benefits of attending a quality kindergarten program. Learn more about Access to Early Learning.
Koorie Kids Shine
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can access 15 hours of free Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and, from 2026, 16–25 hours of free Pre-Prep per week. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can learn about the benefits of kindergarten, including how services create culturally safe places for Koorie children and families, and how to enrol through Koorie Kids Shine.
Choosing the right program for your family
Understanding the differences can help you to choose a program that suits your family’s needs.
To explore your options further, try visiting some nearby kinder services and long day care centres. This will help you get a feel for the environment and ask any specific questions. Visit How to choose a kindergarten for more information.
Find a kinder program
This interactive map helps you find kinder programs that have been approved by the Victorian Government in locations convenient to you.
Look for the Kinder Tick
The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find funded and approved kindergarten programs. For kinder you can count on, just look for the Kinder Tick.
Education & trainingParents & carers
Updated 26 March 2026
About the VIC Government
- The Premier and ministers
- Find a Vic Gov department, agency or service
- Strategies and policies
- Inquiries and royal commissions
Grants and programs
Jobs and careers
Arts, culture and heritage
Business and the workplace
- Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework
- Portable Long Service Authority
- Victoria’s racing industry
- Workforce Inspectorate Victoria
- Liquor licensing, sale and supply
Communities
- Children
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Finding records
- Gender equality & women’s leadership
- LGBTIQA+ equality
- Multicultural communities
- Seniors Online
- Veterans support and commemoration
- Volunteering in Victoria
- Youth Central
Education and training
- Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority
- Early childhood education – information for professionals
- Kinder: Best Start, Best Life
- Education – information for parents
- Schools.Vic - information for schools
- Education grants, programs, awards and events
- PROTECT
- TAFE, training and universities sector
- TAFE Victoria
- Victorian Skills Authority
- Apprenticeships Victoria
- Learn Local
Environment, water and energy
Finance and economy
Health and social support
- Family violence reform
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- NDIS and disability services and support in Victoria
- Patient Review Panel
- Transforming Trauma Victoria
Housing and property
Law and justice
- Adoption
- Births, deaths and marriages
- Honorary justices
- Machete ban
- Safeguarding Victorians against terrorism
- Stolen Generations Reparations Package
- Victims of Crime
- Victorian Racing Tribunal
Safety and emergencies
- Emergency Recovery Victoria
- Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation
- Emergency Recovery Resource Portal
- How well do you know fire
- Fire Services Reform
- Water safety
- Marine Search and Rescue
Science and technology
- Data sharing and open data
- Data.vic - discover and access Vic Gov open data
- Developer.Vic - portal for API developers
- Go.vic URL shortener
- Vic Gov IT project dashboard
- Victoria’s free public wi-fi network
- Cyber security in the Victorian Government
Sport and recreation
Traffic and transport
- Cameras Save Lives
- Transport Fines
- Getting Around
- Transport Planning
- Transport Future
- Climate Change and transport
- Future Directions For Transport
- Transport projects
- Ports and Freight
Working in the Victorian Government
- Single Digital Presence home
- Accommodation and Library Services
- Executive employment in the Victorian public sector
- Budget, procurement and funding
- Careers in the Victorian Government
- Council and Regulator Toolkit
- Guidelines for working in government
- Join a government network
- Standards and guidelines
- VicFleet CarPool
- Victorian Government style guide