How member kindergarten places are allocated

We allocate places for kindergartens that are members of our Central Registration Scheme. This covers most kindergartens in Boroondara (but not those in long day care or independent schools.)

We allocate places in a fair, equitable and consistent manner. 

Download our Kindergarten Central Registration policy at the bottom of this page for full details.

Allocation criteria for 3- and 4-year-old kindergarten places

1. Priority of access: high priority children

In line with the Victorian Government Kindergarten Funding Guide Priority of Access, priority of access will be given to high-priority children, as follows:

Tier 1

Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in out-of-home care

• the child is eligible for Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning, and/or
• the family, carer or legal guardian identifies the child as known to or having had contact with Child Protection or in Out-of-Home Care and/or
• the parent or carer or child is experiencing family violence and/or has had contact with The Orange Door and/or
• the child or family has previously accessed Flexible Support Packages and/or
• the child or family is referred by one of the following:
  - Child Protection
  - Child and family services
  - Maternal and Child Health nurse (MCH)
  - Out of Home Care provider

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

As part of the enrolment process, service providers must respectfully ask families ‘Do you identify your child as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?’ and record this information in Arrival.

Asylum seeker and refugee children

• the child, a parent, a carer or a legal guardian holds, has previously held, or is applying for, a refugee or asylum seeker visa (see list of visas in the Kindergarten Funding Guide), and/or
• the child, a parent, a carer or a legal guardian holds a current or expired ImmiCard, and/or
• children, parents, carers or legal guardians who previously held a refugee or asylum seeker visa and now hold Australian Citizenship or permanent residency.

Children and/or families holding concession cards

A child or parent holds a Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans’ Affairs Card.

Children from families with multiple births

Multiple birth children (ie triplets or more).

Children and/or families with additional needs who require additional assistance to fully participate in the kindergarten program, and who meet one of the following:

Child

• is eligible under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or undergoing a continuing assessment of a disability under the NDIS (supported by a letter from a medical practitioner or specialist)
• is eligible for Early Childhood Intervention Service Continuity of Support (ECIS COS)
• is diagnosed with a disability or developmental delay or are undergoing diagnosis (supported by a letter from a medical practitioner or specialist)
• presents with developmental concerns that presents barriers to accessing a kindergarten program (supported by a letter or other evidence from a MCH nurse or similar practitioner such as an allied health practitioner)
• has complex medical needs that presents barriers to accessing a kindergarten program (supported by a letter from a medical practitioner or specialist)
• holds a Disability Health Care Card
• previously accessed the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Program, Commonwealth Inclusion Support Program or another similar program
• the child is referred by one of the following:
  • the National Disability Insurance Scheme
  • Early Childhood Intervention Service Continuity of Support (ECIS COS)
  • Preschool Field Officer program, or
  • MCH nurse or similar professional such as an allied health specialist, where developmental concerns have been identified.

Parent or carer

• is eligible under the NDIS or undergoing a continuing assessment of a disability under the NDIS (supported by a letter from a medical practitioner or specialist)
• has complex medical needs that present barriers to accessing a kindergarten program (supported by a letter from a medical practitioner or specialist)
• holds a Disability Health Care Card.

Children accessing an additional year of 3-year-old kindergarten, 4-year-old kindergarten or Pre-Prep

Children assessed with delays in 2 or more areas and are identified as eligible for an additional year of funded 3-year old kindergarten, 4-year-old kindergarten or Pre-Prep.

Tier 2

Children currently attending the service

Priority should be given to children attending the service in the 3-year-old kindergarten program and seeking to access 4-year-old kindergarten or Pre-Prep at the same service for continuity of learning.

After applying Tier 1, if more children meet Tier 2 eligibility than available places, Council will apply the agreed local criteria below.

2. Agreed local criteria (applied after priority of access)

Agreed local criteria is made up of 3 categories. These categories are applied to the first kindergarten preference only, in order of:

i) Current 3-year-old enrolments

This applies to children currently enrolled at the kindergarten, in order of:

• residents of Boroondara at the closest kindergarten, with a prior sibling in the last 5 years.
• residents of Boroondara at the closest kindergarten.
• residents of Boroondara, with a prior sibling in the last 5 years.
• residents of Boroondara.
• non-residents, with a prior sibling in the last 5 years.
• non-residents.

ii) Residents of Boroondara

Residents in order of:

• closest kindergarten, with a sibling currently enrolled at the kindergarten or enrolled within the previous 5 years.
• closest kindergarten.
• a sibling currently enrolled at the kindergarten or enrolled within the previous 5 years.
• residents of Boroondara.
• all other residents of Boroondara.

iii) Non-residents

Non-residents, in order of:

• children with a sibling currently enrolled at the kindergarten or enrolled within the previous 5 years.
• all other non-residents. 

If all criteria are equal, positions shall be determined by a computer-generated, random allocation.

Will my child get their preferred placement?

Due to the high number of applicants, meeting the criteria for allocation does not guarantee a placement at a member kindergarten.