Preschool 3 to 5 years

The preschool years are a very important time in your child’s life. We have many services and support networks you can draw on to help you prepare for this milestone in your child's life.

Things to do

• Your child is eligible to attend a kindergarten program in the 2 years before they start primary school if they turn 3 years of age before 30 April. Use our kindergarten dates calculator to see what year your child can attend kindergarten and add important enrolment dates to your calendar.
• Visit Immunisation to learn more about child immunisation sessions, or use our immunisation calculator to add scheduled immunisations to your calendar.
• Go to your 3.5-year key age and stage appointment with your Maternal and Child Health nurse.
• Look into childcare for your child if you need it. Occasional care can be helpful for many parents.
• Download the Victorian Government's free Maternal and Child Health app-external site
• Enrol in swimming lessons at one of our local pools. Children aged 3 and up may be ready to start learning basic strokes and important water safety skills.
• The transition from kindergarten to primary school is an important time in children’s education. Look into Primary School options and learn about what you need to do to enrol your child. Gather information about schools, visit open days and talk to key staff. Read the Victorian Government guide to starting primary school-external site.

Parenting resources

• Go to a parent information session.
• Join the Boroondara Library Service to access books and online resources on parenting, health and learning. 
• Visit our Reading advice for preschool 3 to 5 years page to find book recommendations and programs.
• Browse activities and events for preschoolers and families in Boroondara.
• Find evidence-based information and advice for parents of 3 to 5 year olds-external site at the Raising Children Network.
• Ensure your child is suitably restrained when travelling in the car. Visit VicRoads-external site to understand the right child restraint for your child.
• Visit one of the Safe Seats Safe Kids Child Car Restraint Fittings and Safety Checks-external site to ensure your child’s car restraint is correctly fitted. There are regular safety check sessions held in both Ashburton and Camberwell.
• Find advice on how you can support young children to have safe and enjoyable experiences online at eSafety-external site.
• Get tips from the Better Health Channel-external site on healthy eating ideas for kindergarten lunch boxes.

Activities in Boroondara

• Get out to an activity for you and your child at one of our libraries.
• Have a look at the range of activities and events on offer at one of the 11 Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres in the City of Boroondara.
• Join a walking group-external site.
• Visit Kew Traffic School for one of their Public Ride sessions during school holidays.

Find more activities for you and your child in our searchable directory of activities for families.

Support and advice 

• In case of an emergency, call 000 for Police, Fire and Ambulance.
• Maternal and Child Health service at [email protected] or call 9278 4606.

After hours

• Nurse on Call: Puts you directly in touch with a registered nurse for caring, professional health around the clock. Call 1300 60 60 24.
• Parentline: Free counselling and advice for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old, 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. Call 13 22 89.
• Kids Helpline: Call anytime for any reason for counselling or just someone to talk to. Visit the Kids Helpline website or call 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 551 800.
• The National Breastfeeding Helpline: breastfeeding knowledge and help with overcoming common hurdles 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 686 268.
• Victorian Poisons Information Centre: Trained staff will give first aid information, tell you if you need to call an ambulance or may refer you to a doctor for treatment. Call 13 11 26.

Find health information

To find quality assured, reliable, up-to-date and easy to understand health information on children aged 4 to 12, visit the Victorian Government's Better Health Channel website-external site.