Kindergartens

Loddon Shire Council manages the enrolment process for all kindergartens in the Loddon Shire.

Enrolments for Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten for 2025 open on 22 April and close on 26 July. While the enrolment period closed on 26 July, if any families missed this date we still encourage them to submit a kindergarten enrolment form for their child as a late enrolment. Prompt enrolment is recommended to assist in the planning for programs that will run in 2025.

Enrolments can be completed via an online form, paper based form or by contacting Council’s Early Years Team on 03 5494 1200.

CLICK HERE(PDF, 972KB)  to download the Enrolment form.

A letter of offer for a Kindergarten place will be sent to families after the enrolment period has closed. For more information about the enrolment process for Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, please see the Kindergarten Enrolment Guide or contact Loddon Shire Council’s Early Years team on 03 5494 1200.

More information about the enrolment process can also be found in the Kindergarten Enrolment Guide below. 

Kindergarten Enrolment Guide 2025(PDF, 406KB)

4 year old programs

Children must turn four before 30 April in the year in which they will attend, to be eligible for funded four year old kindergarten.

3 year old programs

Children must turn three before 30 April in the year in which they will attend, to be eligible for funded three year old kindergarten.

Please note: children may only attend once they have turned three. 

In the Loddon Shire our Kindergartens operate combined multi age programs, incorporating three and four year old kindergarten programs together.

2025 Session Days and Times

These are currently under review. Information on kindergarten session days and times will be provided to families in August (TBA) when letters of offer for a kindergarten place are sent out. (please note these may change dependant on enrolment numbers)

Where applications exceed the kindergartens’ current capacity, places within the program will be allocated in accordance with the DE Kindergarten Funding Guide Priority of Access Criteria and Loddon Shire Council Inclusion and Equity Policy and will be determined by the Manager Community Wellbeing.

In accordance with Victorian Government Kindergarten Criteria, children are eligible for priority access if they are vulnerable, have a disability or developmental delay, and/or have qualified for a second year of funded kindergarten. If there are an equal number of places than applications received then all applicants will receive an offer according to their preference. If there are more applicants than places then the Commonwealth Priority of Access Guidelines and State Government Service funding policies will be implemented, as follows:

High priority children:

• at risk of serious abuse or neglect including children in Out-of-Home Care
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• asylum seeker and refugee children
• children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
• children with additional needs defined as children who:
  • require additional assistance in order to fully participate in the kindergarten program
  • require a combination of services which are individually planned and
  • have an identified specific disability or developmental delay.

Having satisfied the requirements of Commonwealth Priority of Access Guidelines, remaining places will be allocated utilising the following Priority of Access guidelines:

• Children who have received funding for a second year of kindergarten; 
• Children who were eligible to attend in the previous year but deferred or withdrew from the service prior to the April data collection.

Other considerations may include date of application, siblings already enrolled at the service, attendance in the three year old program and local community zoning.

Why would I defer my child's kindergarten entry?

Kindergarten is an important year, one in which we want children to develop to their full potential. Parents may consider it preferable to have their child start kindergarten (and school) at an older age when their child is more socially and emotionally developed and able to cope with different or challenging circumstances more readily.

By deferring, children are given an extra year to naturally develop their skills and abilities and build the maturity expected for primary school entry. It is a parent's decision as to whether or not they choose to defer their child's funded year of kindergarten.

Implications of deferring kindergarten

The Victorian Department of Education expects children to commence school when they are six years of age; therefore those children born between January and April have the choice of deferment.

For those children born May to December, a letter requesting delayed enrolment to school must be sent to the Victorian Department of Education.

Who can I talk to about deferment?

If you are considering deferring your child’s enrolment but are unsure and would like someone to talk to, you’re welcome to make an appointment to meet with the teacher in your closest kindergarten to discuss your individual circumstances.

Council operates all five kindergartens in the Shire.

You are welcome to arrange a visit to your nearest kindergarten and meet with the staff. Please contact the kindergarten to arrange a suitable time with the staff.

Boort Preschool

The Boort Preschool is a "children's garden" where children have the time, space and opportunity to play, learn and thrive. It is a welcoming, safe, challenging and evolving kindergarten centre.

Boort Preschool staff are caring, approachable and professional. They view each child as a unique individual.

The centre itself has ample space for play and learning.  It has a large interactive outside play space and garden, and a light indoor area with a variety of resources for both children and staff to use, including a large children’s’ library.

The Boort Preschool operates a play based curriculum which allows for independent choices and the individual development of each child.

Dingee Preschool

Dingee Preschool is a very safe, stimulating and rewarding centre for your child.

Dingee Preschool staff work closely with children, their families and the local community to plan and organise a play based program that helps each individual child to challenge themselves and strive to reach their full potential. Dingee Preschool’s program also teaches children about sustainability, recycling, healthy eating, growing our own food and being water wise.

Dingee Preschool has a close relationship with East Loddon P-12 College which is located next door to the centre and allows a smooth transition from preschool to primary school. Children who have turned four (4) years of age have the opportunity to travel with their siblings and friends on the bus to preschool.

Dingee Preschool’s indoor space offers many interesting and challenging areas for the children to explore and express themselves. The outdoor play space offers many shaded areas, natural and synthetic grassed areas, fruit trees, vegetable gardens and a rubberised bike track.

Inglewood Kindergarten

Inglewood Kindergarten is a vibrant caring centre that prides itself on its positive partnership between parents, children and staff.

The kindergarten provides a happy and friendly environment in which the children can freely express their ideas, develop independence and have new learning experiences. Through observation, questioning and listening staff get to know and understand each and every child in the group.

They use this information to plan for and implement specific learning experiences that will most benefit the child.

The Inglewood Kindergarten provides an enthralling, safe centre for play and activity both indoors and out.

To children, play is a spontaneous expression which develops their social, emotional and problem solving skills, Inglewood Kindergarten provides children with the opportunity to play.

Pyramid Hill Preschool

The Pyramid Hill Preschool is a place where children develop and learn.  Children are treated as individuals and individual differences and interests are encouraged.

The experienced and friendly staff will encourage and support children so they can become independent and capable learners who will experience success and enjoyment from their preschool experience.

The Pyramid Hill Preschool has an exciting outdoor space, and provides a play based program to stimulate the children’s intellectual, physical, social and creative abilities.

Parents and families are encouraged to be involved in the preschool program and the staff work with families to ensure the best outcome for each child’s learning and development.

Wedderburn Kindergarten

The Wedderburn Kindergarten is a creative centre for enthusiastic learners.

The children who attend are explorers who are guided on their journey toward the goals of; self-confidence, independence, positive attitudes, curiosity and healthy habits.

The staff plan and organise all curriculum around the child and the child's world, to encourage active and innovative learning.

The Wedderburn Kindergarten has a sizeable and interesting indoor space which lends itself well to many different learning stations and spaces full of learning opportunities.

The outside play space is very generous, amongst its many features are a large beautiful shade tree, exciting play frames and a path ideal for active bodies to race around.

Wedderburn Kindergarten is a proud and friendly centre which allows children to learn through doing, playing and experiencing, this gives them the skills and confidence to trust and be confident members of their own environments.

Kindergarten Eligibility

When can my child start kindergarten? Your child must turn three by April 30 of the year they start a Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program. Your child must turn four by April 30 of the year they start a Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program.

For more information, visit http://www.vic.gov.au/when-start-kindergarten

Does my child have to be immunised?

Yes. Your child must be up to date with their vaccinations to go to kindergarten in Victoria.

At enrolment, you will need to provide a copy of your child’s Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register. Make sure your child’s immunisations are up to date before enrolment. More information can be found at

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/no-jab-no-play

Children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage can be enrolled without an Immunisation History Statement for a short time.

Enrolment

What if I am late to enrol my child in kindergarten?

 Kindergarten enrolments are open between 22 April and close on 26 July

You can still complete your child’s kindergarten enrolment after this but completing this in the enrolment period gives you the best chance of getting a place in your preferred kindergarten.  

How much does it cost to enrol?

It is free to enrol your child in kindergarten.

How do I enrol?

To enrol your child in kindergarten, please complete and return the Enrolment form(PDF, 1MB). 

If you need help to complete the form, contact the Loddon Shire Council Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200.

How do I know my child's kindergarten enrolment has been received?

After you complete the form, you will receive an email confirming that we have received your submission.

Can I change my preferences before I get an offer of a place?

Yes. To change your preferences or other details, please contact Loddon Shire Council’s Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200 or earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au

Can I cancel my preferences before I get an offer of a place?

Yes. To change your preferences or other details, please contact Loddon Shire Council’s Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200 or earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au

Can I cancel my child’s kindergarten enrolment?

Yes. To cancel your enrolment application, contact the Loddon Shire Council Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200 or earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au

Is my information safe?

Yes. Information is kept in a safe and private database.

If you accept a kindergarten place, we will give the kindergarten your contact information. Kindergartens must also keep information safe and follow strict privacy laws.

Offers

How are kindergarten places given out?

Loddon Shire Council prioritises places for children most in need. We ask for information on the enrolment form determine if your child meets kindergarten priority of access criteria. For more information about priority criteria and how places are given out, see the Department of Education Priority of Access criteria

If you would like more information on how Loddon Shire Council allocates kindergarten places, contact the Early Years team on earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au or (03) 5494 1200.  

For children who do not meet priority criteria, a random ballot is used to give each child their highest available preference. There is no ‘first in, first served’ rule.

How and when are offers made?

First round offers are made in August.

If your child has received a first round offer, we will tell you in an email or text message. You have 14 days to accept the offer, or decline and be put on the waiting list.

If your child has not received a first round offer, we will send you an email or text message telling you that your child has been put on the waiting list.

Second round offers are made in late September and include all children on the waiting list.

Any later offers are made when places become available.

You can accept or decline an offer by replying to the email or text message.

What happens after I accept a kindergarten place?

When you accept a kindergarten place, we will contact you to finalise the enrolment of your child at kindergarten.

Can I defer an offer?

No, offers for kindergarten places cannot be deferred. You must either accept or decline the offer. If you decline the offer you can enrol again for next year or contact Loddon Shire Council Early Years team to talk about other local kindergarten options on earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au or (03) 5494 1200

Kindergarten-Enrolment-Form.pdf(PDF, 1MB)