Early Start Kindergarten gives eligible children 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten a week for two years before starting school.

Children can also access free or low cost Four-Year-Old Kindergarten through the Early Start Kindergarten Extension Grant.

How to apply

Early Start Kindergarten is available in all kindergarten programs delivered by a qualified teacher. You can enrol your child by contacting a kindergarten near you, and asking to access an Early Start Kindergarten grant. You can also contact us or your local council for assistance.

When to apply

You can enrol your child by notifying the kindergarten you wish to attend or your local council of your child's eligibility for Early Start Kindergarten.

If your child’s birthday falls between 1 January and 30 April, you will need to determine the year your child will start school to work out which year they will access Early Start Kindergarten. You have the choice of whether your child attends school in the year they turn five or six. Subsequently, they can access Early Start Kindergarten in the year they turn three or four.

For assistance in determining when your child is eligible for Early Start Kindergarten, you can contact us, your local council, your maternal and child health nurse, or a kindergarten in your area for further support.

To be eligible, your child must be three by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten, and:

• is from a refugee or asylum seeker background, or
• identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or
• your family has had contact with child protection.

• Phone: 1800 338 663
• Email: enquiries@education.vic.gov.au