FAQs

The Victorian kindergarten program is a one to two year program for children before they enter primary school. Kindergarten is not compulsory in Victoria but it does help children to develop social, mental and physical skills in preparation for school.

To attend First Year (3 YEAR OLD) kindergarten, your child MUST turn three (3) by 30th April in the year they attend.

If your child turns three between the commencement of Term 1 and April 30 they can only attend once they turn three. A pro rata fee will apply and your child’s educator will discuss an individual orientation schedule with you where you will be able to visit the kindergarten for short periods of time (parent/guardian) must remain with child for visits.

To attend Second Year (4 YEAR OLD) kindergarten, your child MUST turn four (4) by 30^th April in the year they attend

Your child can start school if they turn five years old by 30 April of the year they start school. Your child must be enrolled in school by the age of six, unless they have an exemption. So, if your child’s birthday falls before 30 April in the calendar year, you have a choice about whether to enrol your child in school in the year they turn five or the next year.

Contact your local council for information on when and how to register for a Kindergarten place.

Council details can be found here:

If you are registering for First Year (3 year old) in Glen Eira, please contact Glen Education.

If you are unsure about the best time for your child to start a kindergarten program, contact the Glen Education customer relations team for advice and/or visit when to start kindergarten. Find out how the kindergarten program can support your child. You can also attend a tour of the kindergarten that your child is likely to attend. As well, you can talk with your child’s Maternal and Child Health nurse, family doctor and any other professionals your child sees (for example, Speech Therapist, Physiotherapist or Paediatrician).

Some parents are under the false understanding that, should their child not be ready for school after one year of Second Year (4 year old kindergarten), that their child will automatically receive a second year of funded kindergarten. A second year of funded Four Year Old Kindergarten will only be considered when a child shows delays in learning and development outcome areas in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework  and when:
• the kindergarten program is deemed to be the most appropriate learning program
• the child will achieve better outcomes at kindergarten than if they go to school.

You can view more information on eligibility for a second year of funded 4 Year Old Kindergarten HERE

The Kindergarten Inclusion Support Service offers supplementary assistance to kindergartens to support the inclusion of a child with additional needs into the program. Applications are made by the Kindergarten Teacher in consultation with parents, early childhood intervention agencies and Preschool Field Officers. Applications are made in the year prior to the child starting kindergarten and strict criteria exist for an application to be made.

Please speak to Glen Education’s Inclusion Support Manager for further information on funding availability to children with additional needs.

Contact Us for support

As part of enrolment, we strongly encourage and invite families to view one of our Kindergartens.

The Kindergarten Tour is an invaluable experience that will enable you and your child to view our flexible, play based programs, where educators provide opportunities for children to engage in play in a supportive environment.

In person tours can be booked here

Virtual tours can be viewed anytime here

For information about fee refunds and terms and conditions, please visit our Kindergarten Fees and Charges page

There is NO expectation that your child must be able to use the toilet prior to starting at a Glen Education Kindergarten.

To support ease of toileting, we ask that your child attends a Glen Education Kindergarten in pull ups if they are not yet able to use the toilet independently (rather than nappies) as this will help to transition to underwear and when learning to use the toilet.  ‘Training underwear’ is also great when starting out (as it is thicker and more absorbent.

Learning to use the toilet is a significant milestone in your child’s life.  It is one that is achieved in a supportive and trusting environment.  There is no ‘set age’ at which a child learns to use the toilet and it will be different for every child.  Research informs us that typically, children are between 18 months and 3 years before they are developmentally mature enough to recognise the urge to use the toilet.  The key is to not decide for your child.  The secret is to wait for signs that your child is ready to start using the toilet, rather than determine this for them.  Some children get the knack quickly, while others need adult patience and support.

While there is no ‘right time’ to start learning to use the toilet, look out for the following indicators:

• • has dry nappies for several hours at a time – this shows they are able to store wee in the bladder
  • is becoming interested in watching others go to the toilet (this can be awkward or make you uncomfortable at first, but is a good way to introduce things)
  • tells you (or shows obvious signs) when they do a poo or wee in their nappy – if they can tell you before it happens, that’s also a good sign they are ready to transition to the toilet
  • begins to dislike wearing a nappy, perhaps trying to pull it off when it’s wet or soiled
  • has regular, soft, formed bowel movements
  • can pull their pants up and down and is becoming more independent when it comes to completing tasks

Working together to support your child to learn to use the toilet is critical.  We encourage the following strategies:

• • There is NO expectation that your child must be able to use the toilet prior to starting at a Glen Education Kindergarten.
  • To support ease of toileting, we ask that your child attends a Glen Education Kindergarten in pull ups if they are not yet able to use the toilet independently (rather than nappies) as this will help to transition to underwear and when learning to use the toilet. ‘Training underwear’ is also great when starting out (as it is thicker and more absorbent.
  • Dress your child in clothes that are easy to take off – for example, pants with elastic waistbands
  • Pack LOTS of spare clothing – including additional socks and shoes. Accidents happen and that’s ok – but we need to be able to quickly and discretely support your child to change clothes so they can continue their day.
  • Consistency is key – once you have committed to starting the process of toilet learning, it’s important to follow through. Changing back and forth from nappies to pants can be really confusing for a young child.
  • Before introducing the toilet, it helps if you have an established routine with your child at home. This way, the new experience of using the toilet can be slotted into your normal routine.
  • Teach your child the words needed for toilet training, such as wet, dry, wee, poo, ‘I need to go’. Choose words that you are comfortable with and share these with the educators so these words can be used there too.
  • Give your child lots of fibre to eat and water to drink so she doesn’t become constipated, which can make toileting difficult. Your child’s diet is the best way to handle this, rather than using fibre supplements.
  • Use lots of encouragement for all efforts made throughout the whole process
  • The educators at Glen Education will remind your child to use the toilet and will provide the appropriate support needed (with clothing, wiping their bottom etc.). Children will very often get caught up in play and not realise they need to use the toilet until it’s too late. It’s good to follow through with this at home too – Gentle reminders are enough so your child doesn’t feel pressured.  Five minutes is long enough to sit on the toilet.
  • Educators at Glen Education Kindergartens will teach your child how to wash their hands after using the toilet, and there will be visual cues in the bathroom too.
  • Educators have a lot of patience and are trained to support children to learn to use the toilet! If your child gets upset because of an accident, educators will reassure them that it’s ok to have an accident and there’s no need to worry. Once your child is using the toilet, don’t be disappointed if there are a few accidents. A few accidents are to be expected even when children are trained. Sometimes toilet training can go backwards when there is a new stress or something is troubling your child.  If you feel there might be a problem or you’re worried about how your child is adapting to toilet training, check with your doctor or child and family health nurse.

Contact your local council for information on when and how to register for a Kindergarten place.

Council details can be found here:

If you are registering for First Year (3 year old) in Glen Eira, please contact Glen Education.

Contact your local council for information on when and how to register for a Kindergarten place.

Council details can be found here:

If you are registering for First Year (3 year old) in Glen Eira, please contact Glen Education.

Contact your local council for information on when and how to register for a Kindergarten place.

Council details can be found here:

If you are registering for First Year (3 year old) in Glen Eira, please contact Glen Education.

To withdraw your child from a Glen Education kindergarten, you are required to notify Glen Education via email to enrolments@gekaoffice.org.au.  4 weeks’ written notice (via email) prior to term commencing is required. If such notice is not given, TERM FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.

Please visit our Kindergarten Fees and Charges for more information.