Victorian Government’s Free Kinder initiative

The Victorian Government has announced that kindergarten will be free for every child attending a participating kindergarten. Some kindergarten services in Boroondara may choose not to participate in the free kinder initiative.

Kindergartens can either:

• offer free kinder and not charge any ‘gap’ fees to families
• charge families kindergarten term fees, as they have done in the past.

Participation in the free kinder initiative is an opt-in decision made by each individual service.

Each kindergarten that is part of the Boroondara Kindergarten Central Enrolment Scheme will be contacting families who have accepted their child’s place for 2023. They will provide details about their service’s participation in free kinder.

Please be aware that Council is not a funding body or manager of kindergarten services in Boroondara. We manage the Boroondara Kindergarten Central Enrolment Scheme. This scheme assists parents and kindergartens by enabling families to apply for a place through a centralised, online system.

Which member kindergartens are participating

Below is a list of each kindergarten that is a member of the central enrolment scheme in 2023, and whether they have confirmed if they are participating or not. To see the specifics of any timetable changes for 2023, visit our Member kindergartens page.

It is important to note that children may only receive Victorian Government funding at one service. Children attending a central enrolment scheme kindergarten must allocate their kindergarten funding to this service. If your child attends another service that offers a funded kindergarten program, families must advise that service that they cannot access your child’s funding.

If you wish to enrol your child or make changes to your child’s application, please refer to our Enrol in Kindergarten page.

Ashburton member kindergartens

Balwyn and Balwyn North member kindergartens

Camberwell member kindergartens

Canterbury member kindergartens

Deepdene member kindergartens

Glen Iris member kindergartens

Hawthorn and Hawthorn East member kindergartens

Kew and Kew East member kindergartens

Surrey Hills member kindergartens

Why kindergartens may not participate

Some kindergarten services may decide not to participate in the free kinder initiative.

The main concern that has been raised by organisations is that the Victorian Government’s initiative may not cover the operating expenses of their kindergarten. Participating in free kinder may impact the kindergarten’s ongoing financial sustainability.

Additionally, some kindergartens offer more than the standard 15 hours as part of their program. Even if these services participated in the free kinder initiative, any additional hours above the standard 15 hours may not be free.