Kindergartens

We build the solid foundations for children to grow into healthy, resilient adults.

Our programs are responsive to the needs and interests of each child. Qualified Early Childhood Educators create and facilitate new learning experiences to encourage constructive learning, imaginative play and the development of resilience and social skills.

Attending a kindergarten is an important step for your child; it will help them learn skills that they will build on throughout their lives. Kindergarten will help your child to develop language and listening skills, confidence and independence, physical and creative skills, support their desire to learn and discover, and the ability to work cooperatively with other children and adults.

Our Programs

Our programs are guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and help children to:

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Create a sense of identity

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Connect with & contribute to their world

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develop a strong sense of well-being

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become confident & involved learners

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become effective communicators

Find a kindergarten near you.

The right kindergarten is different for everyone.  Here you can search by your suburb or postcode to find conveniently located kinder programs near you.  Or you may search for a specific service by name.


What our families say...

Vidisha
Vidisha
Google Review - Chandler Kindergarten
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Brilliant team of educators 😊 One in particular is simply amazing with the children, she is such a lovely person always welcomes us with a big smile and her interaction with the children and parents is amazing. With educators like all the educators at Chandler kindergarten, I as a parent never have any concern with my son. He is looked after by a great team at Chandler Kindergarten 😃 Highly recommended ⭐️
Dean
Dean
Google Review - Emerald Preschool
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Gets ACECQA rating of "Excellent" for a reason!
Divya
Divya
Google Review - Pakenham Kindergarten
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My son loved it. Friendly staff, massive sand pit, huge playground. They also have individually crafted curriculum. Highly recommend Pakenham Kindergarten.
Shane
Shane
Google Review - Upper Beaconsfield Kindergarten
Read More
Excellent place to have the kids start their journey of education
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Key Information

For all direct registrations managed by bestchance, please see below for key dates;

Registrations for 1st round offers close 30 June 2021

1st round offer process to commence mid to late July 2021

2nd round offer process to commence early to mid-August 2021

Registrations received after 30 June 2021, will be included in the 2nd round offer process and subsequent offer rounds that will be conducted fortnightly until December 2021 where vacancies or waitlists apply.

If you think your child has additional needs, you should indicate this on their registration. Additional needs could include;

  • A disability
  • A developmental delay
  • A medical condition whereby a child requires assistance in order to participate in the kindergarten program

This information is important so that your kindergarten teacher/s may assist you to apply for additional resources.

Proof of birth is required when applying. Australia Government documentation such as a birth certificate or passport is preferred

Immunisation History Statement downloaded from Medicare Online or MyGov

You will incur a Registration Application Fee of $25 per child, per service

As per the information bestchance is provided from the Department of Education and Training, we are required to prioritise vulnerable children when it comes to allocations.

Whoever manages your registration (Council included) may also apply their own POA to your allocation.

Some of the POA criteria may include;

  • Demonstrated Link to Service
  • Proximity to Service
  • Submitted before 1st round cut-off date

The No Jab No Play legislation came into effect on 1 January 2016. Under this new legislation, children will be required to have their immunisations up to date or have an approved exemption to commence kindergarten.

An Immunisation History Statement from Medicare Australia must be produced prior to your child commencing kindergarten showing immunisations are up to date. This is a condition of being able to commence kindergarten.

Aboriginal children aged three and four can get 15 hours of free kinder per week through Koorie Kids Shine. Contact your local kindergarten or local council to enrol.

Find out more

To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 3 or 4 years of age or older by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten. Please see the below eligibility table for more information.

Note: Your child must be 3 years of age before commencing. If not, fees will be payable to hold the place.

Most of bestchance’s services offer Unfunded Sessional Programs. These programs are optional but not subsidised by the State Government and are therefore more expensive.

Your child must be 3 years of age before commencing in an Unfunded Sessional Program. This means that your child may start kindergarten after the start of term 1 however, you may be required to pay the full-term fee in order to hold the place.

Note: Attendance in an Unfunded Sessional Program does not guarantee that you will be offered a place in the Funded Sessional Kindergarten Program at the same service. If you would like your child to attend a Funded Sessional Kindergarten Program in the following year, you will need to complete
a 4-year-old registration.

All 4-year-old children are eligible, and funded, to attend at least 600 hours of kindergarten in the year before they start school. This is usually 15 hours per week over 40 weeks of the school year. 

For current school term dates, click here.

Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) provides free kindergarten to eligible 3-year-old children. Children
are eligible for ESK if they are aged 3 by 30 April in the year they will be attending a kindergarten program, and;

  • The child identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; or
  • The family has had contact with Child Protection (or been referred by them to Child FIRST).

Once you have found your preferred kindergarten, you will need to complete a registration process to be considered for allocation to that kindergarten.

bestchance manages kindergarten programs across numerous local government areas and the registration and
group allocation process differs across them.

bestchance is solely responsible for managing and assisting you with your child’s enrolment into kindergarten.

What is EYM?

In June 2016, the Department of Education and Training introduced a new policy framework for Early Years Management (EYM) to replace the 2009 Kindergarten Cluster Management framework. 

The new policy reflects the broader role of EYM organisations in delivering a greater range of integrated early years services. EYM supports community-based kindergartens in delivering high quality education and care programs for children and families. 

For information on the roles, responsibilities and benefits of all involved in EYM, click the More Information button.

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