Give your child the best start in life with our Kinder Approved, Victorian government funded kindergarten programs. Oz Education Early Learning Centres deliver high‑quality Three‑Year‑Old Kindergarten, Four‑Year‑Old Kindergarten, and access to Pre‑Prep hours for eligible children, all within our nurturing long day care environment.
Backed by the Best Start, Best Life reforms, Victorian families can now access two years of quality play‑based early learning to help their children thrive.
Find a Kinder Approved Oz Education centre near you in Victoria.
What Is Kinder and Why Is It Important?
Kindergarten (kinder) is a play‑based, teacher‑led early learning program designed to build the skills children need for school and for life. Children learn through play, exploring ideas, shaping independence, confidence and creativity.
Kinder programs in Victoria follow the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), ensuring children receive high‑quality, developmentally appropriate learning.
Play‑based kinder helps children develop:
- Language and communication skills
- Early numeracy and literacy
- Social and emotional skills
- Emotional regulation, cooperation and resilience
- Curiosity, imagination and problem‑solving abilities
Research shows that two years of kindergarten leads to long‑lasting benefits in learning, wellbeing and school readiness.
Why Choose Kinder at Oz Education?
Qualified Early Childhood Teachers
Our funded kinder programs are delivered by degree‑qualified kinder teachers, ensuring your child receives the same high‑quality curriculum available in standalone kindergartens. This aligns with Victorian Government expectations for funded kinder delivery.
Play-Based Learning
Children learn best through play. Our kinder program helps children explore, create, build relationships, and develop cognitive, social, emotional and language skills through hands‑on, purposeful play.
Flexible Long Day Care + Kinder Hours Combined
Kinder is a program, not a place. Whether delivered in long day care or a standalone kindergarten, funded kinder programs must follow the same guidelines and be delivered by qualified teachers. Integrated kinder within long day care offers families:
- Extended hours
- Consistent educators
- Learning and care in one convenient location
Free Kinder for Eligible Families
Families can access Free Kinder for both Three‑ and Four‑Year‑Old Kindergarten at participating services. This reduces the cost of early learning while ensuring children access a high‑quality program. Families can only claim Free Kinder at one service per year.
Who Can Enrol?
All Victorian Children Aged 3–4 Years
All children can access funded Three‑ and Four‑Year‑Old Kindergarten programs.
Three Year Old Kindergarten
From the year your child turns three, they can attend a government‑funded kindergarten program that supports early learning, social development, communication and confidence. Victoria is the first state in Australia to roll out funded Three‑Year‑Old Kindergarten statewide.
Four Year Old Kindergarten/ Prep-Prep
Four‑Year‑Old Kindergarten is transitioning to Pre‑Prep, a year of expanded hours of play‑based learning led by qualified teachers. This strengthens children’s foundational skills before school and supports their confidence and wellbeing.
Priority Cohort Access for 2026 Pre-Prep
From 2026, eligible priority cohorts can receive 16–25 hours of Pre‑Prep each week, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- Children from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds
- Children with Child Protection involvement
- Children who received Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning
This ensures children who benefit most from additional kinder time receive the support they need.
The Kinder Tick - Your Assurance of Quality
The Kinder Tick helps families identify government‑funded and approved kindergarten programs. When you see the Kinder Tick, it means:
- The program is led by a qualified teacher
- The learning is play‑based
- The program meets Victorian Government quality and funding requirements
- The program aligns with the National Quality Framework
Oz Education Footscray and Dallas display the Kinder Tick because we deliver government‑funded, high‑quality kindergarten.
What Children Experience at Oz Education Kinder
Your child will enjoy a rich kinder environment where they can:
- Explore and learn through play
- Use imagination, creativity and curiosity
- Build social skills such as sharing, helping, listening and turn‑taking
- Develop early numeracy, literacy and problem‑solving skills
- Strengthen emotional skills like confidence and independence
All kinder programs are tailored to each child’s strengths, interests and stage of development.
How to Enrol in Kinder at Oz Education
Enrolments for 2026 kinder programs at Oz Education are now open. The Victorian Government encourages services to clearly support families with information about registration, documentation and program expectations.
Simple Steps to Enrol:
- Submit an enquiry or book a free tour at any of our Victorian centres.
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Meet our kinder teachers and explore our learning spaces and programs.
- Our Enrolments team will guide you through eligibility and Free Kinder options.
- Complete your enrolment and secure your child’s place.
Give your child the best start to school and life through a high‑quality, government‑funded kinder program. Oz Education Footscray and Dallas are now welcoming enrolments for 2026.
