KINDERGARTEN CENTRAL ENROLMENT INFORMATION · please phone first for an appointment or attend the...

KINDERGARTEN

CENTRAL ENROLMENT

INFORMATION

Mildura Rural City Council Central Kindergarten Enrolment

Contact Kindergarten Enrolment Officer for more information on 03 5018 8562 or

[email protected]

Central Enrolment Information Guide April 2019 2

Table of contents

Kindergarten Central Enrolment Kindergartens……………………………………………… page 3

The importance of Kindergarten ……………………………………………………………… page 4

About pre-kindergarten and eligibility……………………………………………………… page 4

Early Start Kindergarten……………………………………………………………………….. page 5

About funded Kindergarten and eligibility…………………………………………………… page 5

Cost of Kindergarten……………………………………………………………………………. page 6

Kindergarten Fee Subsidy ……………………………………………………………… ……… page 6

The Enrolment Process ……………………………………………………………………… page 7 & 8

Responding to an Offer …………………………………………………………………………. page 8

Waiting List……………………………………………………………………………………… page 8

Priority of Access Criteria ……………………………………………………………………… page 8

How are Place Allocated ………………………………………………………………………. page 9

Can I choose kindergarten and group sessions? …………………………………………… page 9

Privacy and Confidentiality …………………………………………………………………….. page 9

No Jab No Play Policy –immunisation……………………………………………………….. page 10

Deferring or Cancelling the enrolment ……………… ……………………………………… page 10

Changing your preference…………………………………………………………………….. page 11

No Application Fee……………………………………………………………………………… page 11

Required Documentation ……………………………………………………………………… page 11

Change of Personal Details …………………………………………………………………… page 11

Additional and/or High Needs Support……………………………………………………… page 11

Second Year Funded Kindergarten………………………………………………………… page 12

Overview and timelines……………………………………………………………………….. page 13


Kindergarten Central Enrolment

Mildura Rural City Council is managing a central kindergarten enrolment for eight (8) kindergarten services

within Sunraysia.

Kindergarten Central Enrolment enrols children in pre-kindergarten and funded (year before school)

programs on behalf of kindergartens located in the municipality.

Kindergarten enrolment forms are available from Mildura Rural City Council, the MRCC website and

kindergartens within the Local Government area or electronically via email to

[email protected]

For more information contact our Kindergarten Enrolment Officer on (03) 5018 8562 or email

[email protected]

Signature of parent/ guardian ___________________________

Date ____________

Red Cliffs Kindergarten

Guava Street

Red Cliffs

Phone: 4311 1503

E: [email protected]

www.kindercluster.ymca.org.au

Irymple Kindergarten

Casuarina Court

Irymple

Phone: 5024 5496


www.irymplekindergarten.vic.edu.

au

Kathleen Kelly Kindergarten

45 Lemon Avenue

Mildura

Phone: 5023 1515



Mildura South Kindergarten

13 Luke Road

Mildura South

Phone 5023 1189


www.mildurasouthkindergarten.com

Nangiloc & District Kindergarten

2606 Kulkyne Way

Nangiloc

Phone: 5029 1574



Mildura West Kindergarten

214 Eighth Street

Mildura

Phone: 5023 0147




45 Lemon Avenue

Mildura

Phone: 5023 1515



Kindergartens in Central Enrolment

Kindergartens not involved in

Central Enrolment can be

contacted individually.

St Margaret’s Preschool

174 Deakin Avenue

Mildura

Phone: 5023 1093


DeGaris Kindergarten

2 Christie Parade

Mildura

Phone: 5023 1819


http://www.kindercluster.ymca.org.au/

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.mildurasouthkindergarten.com/








The importance of Kindergarten Kindergarten will encourage your child to develop confidence, resilience and independence, physical and

creative skills. It will support your child’s natural desire to learn and discover, and the ability to work co-

operatively with other children and adults.

The kindergarten educators develop an educational program to take into account the child’s needs and

interests, and to encompass the Victorian and National Early Years Learning Frameworks. There is an

emphasis on a play-based approach to learning, designed to suit the developmental level of the individual

child.

There is considerable variation in the programs offered and the hours of operation of kindergartens. You

are encouraged to visit any kindergarten which you may be interested in having your child attend, but

please phone first for an appointment or attend the kindergarten open days.

What is pre-kindergarten (known as 3 year old kindergarten)?

Most kindergartens offer pre-kindergarten sessions, it is an opportunity to become familiar with the kindergarten environment. It may be the first educational experience and first time away from parents. These sessions can be from 3 hours a week to 10 hours a week, depending on the kindergarten, to provide the most nurturing transition from home to education setting. If you wish to send your child to pre-kindergarten, you will need to apply via Central Enrolment. For kindergartens not within Central Enrolment please go directly to the kindergarten(s) of your choice. These programs are not subsidised by the State Government and therefore at full cost to the family. NOTE: Attendance in a pre-kindergarten program does not guarantee that you will be offered a place in the

funded 4 year old program at the same kindergarten.

Pre-kindergarten enrolment eligibility.

Children are eligible to attend pre-kindergarten if they will turn 3 years of age prior to 30 April of the attending year, but unable to begin in a pre-kindergarten group until after their (3rd) third birthday. Parents of children born in the months January through to April, have the choice of which year to enrol their child, depending on the age they would like the child to start school. Enrolments will be taken the year prior to the child commencing pre-kindergarten. If your child will not be three years old at the start of his/her three year old kindergarten year, you will need to consider whether your child will benefit from attending pre-kindergarten in the year of turning 3 years or the following year. The kindergarten staff or central enrolment officer can support you with this decision.

If their date of birth is between Your child is eligible to attend

pre-kindergarten

Enrolments open from

1 January 2016 – 30 April 2017 2020

1 May 2019

1 January 2017 – 30 April 2018

2021

1 May 2020


Early Start Kindergarten

Early Start Kindergarten enables eligible 3 year old children to access a kindergarten program for up to 15

hours per week with families not required to pay a fee.

Early Start Kindergarten is available for children:

who turn 3 years by the 30th April in the year they are attending kindergarten.

(the child cannot commence until after their 3rd birthday)

are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

Or if your child/family is known to Child Protection (including those referred directly from Child

Protection or Child FIRST)

If your child is eligible, and you would like to attend a 15 hour program, please select the 15 hour programs

as you preference.

Research shows an early start to kindergarten prepares children for success at school and has a positive

impact in further education and later in life.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/learningdev/Pages/earlystartkinder.aspx

What is funded kindergarten? (The year before beginning school)

Funded kindergarten (15 hours per week) is an early learning program for children in the year prior to

starting primary school. Kindergarten engages children in quality learning experiences and provides them

with opportunities to further their developmental skills, build self-confidence and resilience. Most importantly

the kindergarten experience provides your child the opportunity to learn, meet other children and begin the

transition to school.

Information about programs, session times, and fees are displayed on their noticeboards or websites at

individual services. Kindergartens are generally managed by volunteer parent committees, elected each

year at the Annual General Meeting. Some kindergartens within Mildura are also cluster managed by

YMCA but also have a Parent Advisory Committee. All kindergartens are licensed by Department of

Education and Training (DET), which monitors them to ensure that regulatory standards are maintained

and follow the Early Years Learning Framework.

Funded 4 year old kindergarten eligibility

Children are eligible to attend four year old kindergarten if they turn four years old by the 30th April in the

year of attendance. Parents of children born in the months January through April, have the choice of which

year to enrol their child.

If your child will not be four years old at the start of his/her four year old kindergarten year, you will need to

consider whether your child will benefit from attending kinder in the year of eligibility or the following year

for successful transition to school.

The kindergarten staff or central enrolment officer can support you with this decision. A second year of

kindergarten will only be approved for those children who meet the 2nd year funding criteria, this discussion

occurs between the family and kindergarten educators.

If their date of birth is between Your child is eligible to attend 4 year old

kindergarten

Enrolments open from

1 January 2016 – 30 April 2017

2020

1 May 2019

1 January 2017 – April 2018

2021

1 May 2020

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/learningdev/Pages/earlystartkinder.aspx


Cost of Kindergarten

Kindergartens are subsidised by Department of Education and Training (DET), making it affordable for all

families. The actual fee per term is set by each individual kindergarten. DET funding for four year old

kindergarten programs are payable to one service only.

Fees between individual kindergartens vary

Pre-kindergarten $500 to $1500 per year (depending on hours attending for example 6 hours is double the

cost of 3 hours)

Funded kindergarten $1000 to $1600 per year.

Please speak to individual service regarding their fees and notify the kindergarten if you are attending long

day care service as well. Pre-kindergarten programs are not subsidised by DET and therefore full fees are

payable unless family is eligible for Access to Early Learning or Early Start Kindergarten programs.

Kindergarten Fee Subsidy

Each year the state government provide annual funding for kindergartens (subject to availability),

supporting the ability to reduce fees for families who meet the following criteria:

The child individually holds, or has a parent or guardian who holds one of the following:

Commonwealth Health Care Card

Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card or White Card

Refugee Visa (subclass 200)

In-Country Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 201)

Global Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 202)

Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa (subclass 786)

Protection Visa (subclass 866)

Emergency Rescue Visa (subclass 203)

Woman at Risk Visa (subclass 204)

Bridging Visa A-E

or the child;

Is identified on the birth certificate as being a multiple birth child (triplet or more)

or the child;

Identified by a parent, carer or legal guardian as being Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

and the family;

Does not have ‘approved’ Commonwealth Child Care Benefit applied for the fee paid for the time spent in the

funded kindergarten program.

The subsidy offered by the State Government covers the entire cost of a 15 hour group. Therefore, eligible

families will not be required to pay fees. Card holders must provide a copy of their current card with the

enrolment form to process the subsidy rebate. Please ensure you provide a copy of your new card as

soon as your old one expires.


The Enrolment Process

Collect the Kindergarten Enrolment Form from one of the following:

Mildura Rural City Council

Deakin Avenue Customer Service Centre 76 – 84 Deakin Ave, Mildura

Madden Avenue Customer Service Centre

(Monday – Friday 8.00am -5.00pm)

MRCC website www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Services/Children

(You will require a printer to print the enrolment form)

Participating kindergartens

Mallee District Aboriginal Services (Early Years Hub)

Maternal and Child Health Services

Or by emailing [email protected]

Complete all relevant personal details on the Kindergarten Enrolment Form.

Choose your preferences on the sheet provided in number. Start with number 1 for your most

preferred session time. You can select up to 3 preferences only. Please note that Council cannot

guarantee your first preference of session or location and you should only indicate preferences you

will be willing to accept.

See below, two examples of filling in your preferences. You can put all 3 preferences at your

kindergarten of choice or you may prefer session times at different kindergartens.

Example 1 – all preferences at one kindergarten

Example 2 – preferences at different kindergartens

Kindergarten 1

2 group 1 red

Monday 8:30 – 1:30 Tuesday 8:30 - 1:30 Wednesday 8:30- 1:30

1 group 2 blue

Monday 8:45 – 1:45 Tuesday 8:45 – 1:45 Friday 8:45 – 1:45

3 group 3 Yellow

Wednesday 9:00 – 2:00 Thursday 9:00 – 2:00 Friday 9:00 – 2:00

Kindergarten 1

1 group 1 red

Monday 8:30 – 1:30 Tuesday 8:30 - 1:30 Wednesday 8:30- 1:30

group 2 blue

Monday 8:45 – 1:45 Tuesday 8:45 – 1:45 Friday 8:45 – 1:45

3

group 3 Yellow

Wednesday 9:00 – 2:00 Thursday 9:00 – 2:00 Friday 9:00 – 2:00

Kindergarten 2

blue group (long days)

Wednesday 8:30 – 4:00 Thursday 8:30 – 4:00

2 green group (bush kinder Wednesday)

Monday 8.45– 2.45 Wednesday 8.45 - 11.45 Thursday 8.45– 2.45

http://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Services/Children



Sign and return your completed Kindergarten Enrolment Form with a copy of your child’s Medicare Immunisation History Statement, copy of other supporting documentation i.e Commonwealth health care card or pension card, court documents:

o Email to [email protected] o In person to MRCC Customer Service Centre at Deakin Avenue or Madden Avenue o By mail to Kindergarten Enrolment Officer PO BOX 105 Mildura Vic 3502.

The Central Enrolment System will notify you that your enrolment has been received, preferably by email

The Central Enrolment System allocates places according to the Council’s priority of access criteria, (see next page)

First round offers will be mailed or emailed to families at the end of July ( this date may vary depending on number of enrolments) You must respond within 14 days to confirm whether you wish to accept the place or would rather wait for a place at another kindergarten or group or decline the place. If you choose the wait response and there are not suitable vacancies, your child will remain on a

waiting list until a place becomes available at one of your preferences.

Attendance at Kindergarten in the first week confirms the uptake of your child’s place at

Kindergarten. Failure to attend kindergarten, or to contact the kindergarten in your child’s absence,

or being un-contactable by the Kindergarten may result in your child’s place being cancelled.

Responding to an Offer

The Kindergarten Central Enrolment process places children according to the priority of access criteria. If you are allocated a place at one of your preferences, you will receive an email or letter with your offer and you are required to take action by doing one of the following, within 14 days.

Accept - if you are happy with the offer, accepting it is confirming a place at kindergarten.

Accept and Wait – if you receive an offer lower than your first preference, you can accept this place and opt to remain on the waiting list for a higher preference. If your higher preference does not become available you have accepted a kindergarten place.

Decline and Wait – if you do not wish to accept the place you are offered, you may decline the place and remain on the waiting list for your other preferences.

Cancel – if you decide you do not wish to attend a Central Enrolment Kindergarten at all, you may cancel your application and you will be removed from the list altogether.

NOTE: If you choose to decline and wait, and you have not been offered a place by 1 November, your preference has not become available and therefore you do not have a place.

Waiting list Where the system is unable to allocate a child a place, the parent will be notified and the child will be placed on the waiting list until a place becomes available for the child at one of your preferences. A child’s position on the waiting list is constantly changing, depending on factors such as other families accepting places or choosing to transfer or cancel.

Priority of Access Criteria In accordance, with the Department of Education and Training’s (DET) Kindergarten Guide funding criteria, Mildura Rural City Council will follow the criteria, which;

Promotes fair and equitable access to Kindergarten programs;

Supports all eligible children to access a Kindergarten program, including those who face barriers to participation;

Encourages enrolment for kindergarten the year prior to start date.



How are places allocated?

Places are allocated at the end of each round, in accordance with the Priority of Access Criteria, listed

below and, in accordance to the Central Kindergarten Registration Policy.

Places are not allocated on the date the Kindergarten Enrolment Form is submitted. Enrolments are

sorted and places allocated at the end of each round, therefore, first in does not apply

Further vacancies will arise as families move out of the area, withdraw their enrolment or choose a place at

another service.

Kindergarten Enrolment in consultation with the kindergarten reserves the right to consider factors such as

group size, group dynamics and other special considerations when allocating places to families in order to

act in the best interest of all children and families.

Priority of access criteria

Priority one (all of equal priority) According to DET Kindergarten Funding Guide 2016

Children who are vulnerable and at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in out of home care.

Children who are Aboriginal /Torres Strait Islander descent

Children who are asylum seekers

Children who are eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy

Children with additional needs, defined as children who: o Require additional assistance in order to fully

participate in the kindergarten program o Require a combination of services which are

individually planned o Have an identified specific disability or

developmental delay

Priority two

Children identified as eligible to enrol in a second year of kindergarten

Priority three

Attended the kindergarten in the pre- kindergarten the previous year.

Priority four

Siblings attended the preferred kindergarten within 5 year timeline

Priority five

Proximity to the kindergarten

Priority six

MRCC resident or in the process of moving

Priority seven

Work/study within the municipality or other children attend school

Can I choose kindergarten and group sessions?

Yes you can choose the kindergarten or group session time of your preference. It is important that you provide Central Enrolment with more than one preference and up to 3 preferences, that you are willing to accept. The names of kindergarten teachers for each session are available on the individual kindergarten websites, this depends on the individual kindergarten.


Privacy and confidentiality

Access to completed enrolment forms will be restricted to the Early Years’ Services and other relevant

Council Officers. Your enrolment information will be provided to the kindergarten once your child has been

placed. Personal Information is held by the Mildura Rural City Council in accordance with the Privacy and

Data Protection Act 2014.

No Jab No Play Policy

The Victorian State Government introduced new legislation from 1 January 2016 the ‘No Jab, No Play

Policy’. Families are now required to provide verification of their child’s date of birth and Immunisation

History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register upon commencement of a confirmed

placement at a kindergarten.

How can parents/ carers get an Immunisation History Statement from Australian Immunisation

Register (AIR)?

You can print a copy of your child’s Immunisation History Statement from your myGov account. If you have difficulty getting a copy via your myGov account you can:

Call the AIR on phone 1800 653 809

Visit a Medicare or Centrelink office.

Families who do not hold a Medicare card must call the Australian Immunisation Register to request an

Immunisation History Statement.

A translating and Interpreting Service is available by calling 131 450, Monday to Friday from 8.30am –

4.45pm.

Source: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/immunisation/vaccination-children/no-jab-no-play/frequently-

asked-questions

If your child is not fully immunised?

If your child is not fully immunised you will be required to begin a catch up program. Catch up programs can

be organised at Mildura Rural City Council immunisation team. For an appointment phone: 5018 8000.

https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/immunisation/vaccination-children/no-jab-no-play/frequently-asked-questions

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/immunisation/vaccination-children/no-jab-no-play/frequently-asked-questions


What happens to my child’s place on the Central Enrolment System if I defer my child’s year of kindergarten?

If you decide, prior to the start of the kindergarten year, to defer your child's attendance to the following

year, you will be required to withdraw your enrolment and re-enrol the following year.

Please notify Kindergarten Central Enrolment by:

calling 5018 8562, or:

emailing [email protected], or:

completing the “change of preference or details form” at www.mildura.vic.gov.au

Can I cancel or withdraw my enrolment?

Yes you can withdraw or cancel your enrolment at any time. Please notify Kindergarten Central Enrolment by:




Can I change my preferences?

You may vary your preferences prior to the 2nd November in the year prior to your child’s commencement

at kindergarten without your original date of registration being affected. Variations after this date will be

treated as a new enrolment. Parents are encouraged to nominate three preferences.




Is there an application fee for Central Enrolment?

There will be no application fee required to enrol your child in the kindergartens involved in Mildura

Central Enrolment.

Kindergartens not in Central Enrolment may have an application fee, you will need to enquire at the

individual kindergarten.

Incomplete enrolment forms

Application forms are only processed if they are complete. The Kindergarten Enrolment Officer will contact

you if applications are incomplete and will support you with the enrolment process, if required.

Required Documentation

The following documents will be required to be submitted with your child’s Enrolment Form.

Immunisation History Statement

Eligible concession card (if applicable) please refer to information about the Kindergarten Fee subsidy page 5


http://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/






Change of personal details

If your personal details change, we encourage you to notify the council, by phone, email or in writing.

These details will be used by the kindergartens to contact you at the time of orientation.





Appeals Process

If you have a dispute, you are encouraged to lodge an appeal in writing to Council attention to the

Coordinator Early Years. A formal response will be sent within 10 business days of the receipt of your

letter or email.

Additional and/or High Support Needs

Families should provide details of any diagnosed additional needs or medical requirements in the relevant

sections of the Kindergarten Enrolment Form, and are encouraged to attach any supporting documentation.

The Kindergarten Inclusions Support (KIS) offers supplementary assistance to kindergartens to support the

inclusion of children with additional needs in the kindergarten program.

Applications are made by the Kindergarten Educator in consultation with parents and Early Childhood

Intervention Agencies. Kindergarten Central Enrolment are able to support referrals to Early Childhood

Intervention Agencies.

Second Year Funded Kindergarten

It is recognised that some children may benefit from a second year of funded Kindergarten prior to

commencing school, and Educators will use guidelines to assess children who may benefit.

Your child is eligible for a second year of funded Kindergarten if your child’s Early Childhood Educator has

assessed that your child has developmental delays in at least two key areas of development and will

achieve better outcomes at Kindergarten rather than going to school.

Declaration of eligibility applications are sent to the Department of Education and Training (DET) for second

year funding approval.

If your child, is eligible to complete a second year of funded kindergarten, you will be required to complete a

Kindergarten Enrolment Form.




Enrolment Timeline

1 May

Enrolments Open

Council receives enrolments

30 June

First round places close 5.00pm

Second round opens

31 July

First round place offers sent

Second round closes 5.00pm

Third round opens

31 August

Second round place offers sent

Third round closes 5.00pm

October/November

Third round place offers sent and

place are continued to be offered

From November onwards

Enrolments still processed.

Families receive enrolment

information directly from the

accepted kindergarten

Acknowledgement of

Applications

An Acknowledgement email will confirm

your application has been received.

If you have not received an

Acknowledgement within four weeks of

submitting your application, please

contact Council on (03)5018 8562 or via

email to:

[email protected]

Enrolments must be lodged at the Council

by 5.00pm on Friday 30 June 2017 to be

considered in

Enrolment Forms and related evidence can

be returned to Council:

Via email to:

Via Mail to:

Kindergarten Enrolment Officer

PO Box 105

Mildura Vic 3502

In Person to Council Service

Centres


by 5.00pm on Friday 30 June 2017 to be

considered in the first round offers.

Enrolment Forms and related evidence can


Via email to:

Via Mail to:


PO Box 105

Mildura Vic 3502

In Person to Council Service

Centres

ur enrolment


by 5.00pm on Friday, 30th June 2017 to be

considered in the first round offers.

Enrolments forms and related evidence can


Via email to:

Via Mail to:


PO Box 105

Mildura Vic 3502

In Person to Council office

Deakin Avenue Building

76 – 84 Deakin Avenue

Mildura Vic

Enrolment forms are available

from:

Mildura Rural City Council Service

Centres and website

Kindergartens

Maternal Child and Health Services

MDAS

Or electronically by emailing [email protected]

Lodging your Enrolment

Enrolments must be lodged at the

Council by 5.00pm on Friday 28th June

2019 to be considered for first round

offers.

Enrolment Forms and related evidence

can be returned to Council:

via email to:

[email protected]

via mail to:


PO Box 105

Mildura Vic 3502

In person:

Council Customer Service Centres

Deakin Avenue or Madden

Avenue.





Irymple Kindergarten

Casuarina Court

Irymple

Phone: 5024 5496

Email: [email protected]

www.irymplekindergarten.vic.edu.au


45 Lemon Avenue

Mildura

Phone: 5023 1515



Mildura South Kindergarten

13 Luke Road

Mildura South

Phone 5023 1189


www.mildurasouthkindergarten.com

Mildura West Kindergarten

214 Eighth Street

Mildura

Phone: 5023 0147



Nangiloc & District Kindergarten

2606 Kulkyne Way

Nangiloc

Phone: 5029 1574



Red Cliffs Kindergarten

Guava Street

Red Cliffs

Phone: 4311 1503



St Margaret’s Preschool

174 Deakin Avenue

Mildura

Phone 5023 1093


DeGaris Kindergarten

2 Christie Parade

Mildura

Phone 5023 1819


Merbein Preschool Kindergarten

18 O’Byran Street

Merbein

Phone: 5025 2491


Millewa Preschool

King Street

Werrimul

Phone: 5028 1293


Murrayville Preschool

Cnr Francis & Gray Streets

Murrayville

Phone: 5095 2137


Ouyen Preschool

78 Oke Street

Ouyen

Phone: 5092 1347


Pasadena Preschool

115 Pasadena Grove

Mildura

Phone: 5023 1105


Underbool Early Learning Centre

42 Cotter Street

Underbool

Phone 5094 6273


Central Enrolment Kindergartens

KINDERGARTEN DIRECTORY

Enrolments & enquiries for Murrayville Preschool, Ouyen Preschool and Underbool Early Learning call

Mallee Track Health and Community Services phone: 5092 1111




http://www.mildurasouthkindergarten.com/












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