Three-year-old kindergarten service hours set to increase in 2024

Last updated on 17 August 2023

Council is offering increased hours for three-year-old kindergarten at more centres in 2024, supported by the Victorian Government’s commitment to increase funded hours over the next six years.

Council’s Lancefield, Riddells Creek, Romsey and Woodend kindergartens, in addition to Manna Gum Family and Children's Centre and Swinburne Avenue Children's Centre, will all be able to offer 15 hours per week of three-year-old kindergarten in 2024.

Council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, said due to some centres having limited vacancies, access to three-year-old kindergarten has been prioritised over the number of weekly hours delivered to ensure as many children as possible have access to the program in 2024.

“We are pleased that we have been able to provide an increase in three-year-old hours for more of our kindergartens, compared to last year,” she said.

“There are so many exciting things happening in the early childhood area more broadly. Some of our kindergartens have recently received upgrades in the form of new equipment and improvements to play areas, and we have the brand new Lancefield Kindergarten and Maternal and Child Health Centre set to open next year.”

Kyneton and Macedon kindergartens will continue to offer 7.5 hours of three-year-old kindergarten in 2024, due to limited vacancies and capacity. These kindergartens both benefitted from an increase in hours this year, from five per week in 2022.

Four-year-old kindergarten hours will remain consistent at 15 hours per week. The Victorian Government will gradually transition four-year-old kindergarten to pre-prep from 2025, with funded kindergarten hours set to double from 15 to 30 hours a week. By 2032, all Victorian children will be eligible for 30 hours a week of pre-prep.

In 2023, Council has been providing three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten services to over 900 children across the shire across its eight kindergartens, which are operated by highly qualified and experienced early childhood teachers and educators.

Offers for 2024 kindergarten places are currently being finalised, with families who have been offered a place due to be notified soon.

Find out more about Council’s kindergarten program.