Kinder Info Sessions

Attending kindergarten offers numerous developmental, social, and educational benefits for children. With free kindergarten programs now available in Victoria, families can access these advantages without financial barriers. Here's how a funded kindergarten program can benefit your child: 

• Building confidence and independence
• Enhancing numeracy and literacy skills
• Developing social skills
• Encouraging positive wellbeing practices
• Nurturing creativity and imagination

With the availability of funded kinder programs in Victoria, these developmental benefits are more accessible, ensuring that children receive the essential early education they need for a successful future. 

While kindergarten and pre-school are not compulsory, attending a quality early learning program is highly recommended. It helps children build essential social, emotional, and academic skills for a confident start to school.

In Victoria, children must turn 3 years old by April 30th to enrol in the three-year-old kindergarten program that year, and 4 years old by April 30th to enrol in the four-year-old kindergarten program that year.

You can use the kinder age calculator to check when your child will be eligible to start three-year-old kinder and four-year-old kindergarten. 

The number of kindergarten hours your child should attend depends on their age and the type of program available. In Victoria, the government recommends the following: 

Three-Year-Old Kindergarten

• 15 hours per week: Children are encouraged to attend a government-funded program for up to 15 hours a week, typically spread across two or three days. 

Four-Year-Old Kindergarten

• 15 hours per week: Children are also eligible for 15 hours per week of a funded kindergarten program to help prepare them for primary school. 

At Aspire, we understand the importance of choosing the right kindergarten program for your child. That’s why we proudly offer government-funded kindergarten programs within our long day care service format—a model designed to provide flexibility, convenience, and holistic care for your family. 

Aspire’s Long Day Care Kindergarten 

• Integrated Care and Learning: Our long day care model seamlessly integrates a government-funded kindergarten curriculum with extended care services. This means your child benefits from a high-quality educational program while also receiving care before and after the program hours—all in one convenient location. 

• Flexible Hours: Aspire’s long day care programs typically operate from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, giving working parents the flexibility they need while ensuring their child is engaged in a nurturing learning environment. 

• Convenience and Continuity: We eliminate the need for separate childcare arrangements, offering a single, cohesive solution for your family’s early learning and care needs. 

• Subsidy Support: While fees cover the additional care hours beyond the funded kindergarten program, families may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), making our services more accessible and affordable. 

Sessional Kindergarten 

• Focused on Education: Offers a dedicated government-funded kindergarten program with set hours and terms, typically aligned with school hours and holidays. 

• Hours: Usually operates for shorter periods, such as 15 hours per week spread across 2–3 days. 

• Community Feel: Sessional programs are often run by local councils or community organisations

Yes, kindergarten is free in Victoria for eligible children through the Free Kinder program. The Victorian Government provides up to 15 hours of free three- and four-year-old kindergarten at participating services, including both sessional kindergartens and kindergarten programs in long daycare settings. 

The Kinder Tick is a symbol used in Victoria to help families easily identify early childhood education services offering government-funded kindergarten programs. It ensures parents can feel confident that the service provides a high-quality, funded kindergarten program led by qualified teachers.

At Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten, we focus on your child’s journey from the nursery to kindergarten. It is recommended that you secure your child’s place in kindergarten as soon as possible, or when your child first starts care at the centre.

Depending on vacancies, we may be able to take external casual bookings for our Kindergarten program.

Enrolling is simple — you can book a tour, contact your local Aspire centre, or visit us on your chosen Kinder Info Session.

Our team will guide you through the enrolment process and answer any questions about kindergarten age, funding, or CCS.

Otherwise you can call the friendly enrolments team on 1800 978 429. 

It's encouraged to apply for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) at least 3 months before your child starts care.

This allows ample time for processing and ensures your subsidy is in place when needed. Once approved, your CCS application remains valid for 26 weeks.

Applying early ensures your subsidy is active when your child begins care.

All Victorian Aspire centres offer 3 and 4 year-old kindergarten programs.

In South-East Victoria we have centres in Clyde, Clyde North, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne North, Cranbourne West & Pakenham.

In West Victoria we have centres in Tarneit, Truganina, Mambourin, Manor Lakes & Werribee.

In North-West Victoria we have centres in Cobblebank, Deanside, Rockbank, Thornhill Park & Strathtulloh.

In North Victoria we have centres in Beveridge, Donnybrook, Kalkallo & Wollert.

In Regional Victoria we have centres in Armstrong Creek, Bendigo, Huntly, Kennington & White Hills

Find a centre near you today!