Register for kindergarten

Registering with us allows you to:

submit one application with preferences for multiple services
avoid contacting each service individually and paying individual registration fees.

This system is known as the Central Registration Scheme, or CRS.

Key information

If you would like your child to attend one of these services, you can register with us:

Glen Education Serrell Street Kindergarten
Princes Close Early Years
Stonnington Children's Centre
Windsor Community Children's Centre.

For a full list of kindergartens operating in Stonnington, refer to the Children's Services Directory.

You can also visit the Department of Education's Find a Kinder website to find local services offering government-approved programs.

How to register

Understand when to attend kindergarten

If your child is born 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022:

If your child is born 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023:

If your child is born 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024:

register for three-year-old kinder in 2027
submit an expression of interest for four-year-old kinder in 2028.

For your child to attend school at the right time, they should either:

turn three by 30 April of the year they start a three-year-old kindergarten program
turn four by 30 April of the year they start a four-year-old kindergarten program.

If your child is born between 1 January to 30 April, you may have a choice for the year they start kindergarten as this impacts the year they start school.

An expression of interest allows us to contact you closer to the opening of registrations for your child's kinder year.

Decide your preferences for kindergarten

When you register, we will ask you about your preferences for kindergarten providers you would like your child to attend.

We recommend you visit the kindergarten providers before registering. You can attend open days or request a tour to talk about the programs they run.

Prepare your documents

1. Confirmation of your child's date of birth

We need a copy or extract of your child's Birth Certificate.

If you don't have your child's Birth Certificate, please provide one of the following:

a copy of their Passport
immunisation statement (MyGov)
Statutory Declaration verifying your child's date of birth to be true and correct.

2. Supporting documents

To be given preference for local kindergartens and/or to confirm eligibility for Department of Educations’ Priority of Access criteria you may additionally be asked to provide:

proof of residence from one of the following:
- current copy of parent or guardian's license
- current rates notice
- amenities bill issued within the last 3 months.
proof of eligible concession and/or Visa
documentation from relevant support services confirming additional support needs.

Submit your registration

Receive and decide whether to accept your offer

When you receive an email with an offer, you can:

accept the place within the offer period and enrol your child at that centre
change your preferences
withdraw your application as you have accepted a place at an alternative kindergarten.

Enrol at the Kindergarten

Once you accept the offer, your confirmed kindergarten provider will contact you for extra information about your child and to complete enrolment.

This information may include dietary requirements, religious background and medical conditions.

The kindergarten provider will also confirm your attendance days and program groups as part of your enrolment.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

My child went there last year - are they guaranteed a place for next year?

No, but allocation priority goes to children applying to return to the same service in the following year.

The Stonnington Central Registration Scheme allocates places on a yearly basis. This means you will need to submit a new application for each year your child is attending kindergarten. All places are then allocated equitably based on the Department of Education's Priority of Access Guidelines in conjunction with our own CRS Local Allocation Criteria.

From 2027, the Department of Education's Priority of Access criteria is being updated to a two-tiered allocation model. Children who are eligible under Tier 1 Priority of Access will always be allocated first.

The newly introduced Tier 2 aims to support children in accessing two years of funded kindergarten within the same service. This applies to children in funded three-year-old kindergarten programs who are applying to return to the same service the following year.

The new Tier 2 does not apply to children accessing pre-kinder or unfunded programs (such as long day care). Through the Stonnington CRS, these children would receive priority under our own Local Allocation Criteria.

For more information, visit the Victorian Government's priority of access page.

What do I do if I don't get a place in any kindergarten I register for?

If you do not receive an offer to take up a place at any of your first three preferences, you may choose to update your preferences to other providers or remain on the waitlist for your current service preferences. Preferences can be for up to three early years services and can be updated multiple times.

Families may also choose to exit the Central Registration Scheme (CRS) waitlist to take up kindergarten placements at services outside of the CRS. Details can be found at children's services directory.

Cost

Registration is free for all families applying through the Stonnington Central Registration Scheme (CRS).

All kindergarten providers set their own attendance costs. Contact your preferred service directly to discuss program costs, including how families can access Free Kinder programs.

Important dates

1 April - registrations open for upcoming year

31 May - apply by this date for your best chance at securing your first preference

Last week of Term 2 - first round offers are made

Two weeks from offer date - first round offers must be accepted

Second week of Term 3 - second round offers are made

One week from offer date - second round offers must be accepted

Public holiday closure