Childcare and kindergarten

Not-for-profit early childhood education and care centres can also be managed by larger organisations such as Uniting or GoodStart. These centres are also assessed and rated by ACECQA, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. They run under the same educational framework and standards. Childcare subsidies also apply – Find a centre near me

Privately managed early education and care centres are run by a business owner for profit. These centres are also assessed and rated by ACECQA, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. They run under the same educational framework and standards. Childcare subsidies also apply – Find a centre near me 

Family Day Care is early childhood education and care in small groups, provided by an early childhood education and care professional within their own home. Family Day Care educators, their program and the children in their care are regularly checked by the approved organisation they work for. Family Day Care services are also assessed and rated by ACECQA, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. They run under the same educational framework and standards. Childcare subsidies also apply - Find Family Day Care near me

There are a variety of options for early childhood education and care. All the below mentioned centres are assessed and rated by ACECQA, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority.  

They all run under the same educational frameworks and standards. Child Care Subsidy is available at each centre for eligible families. 

Families are encouraged to research which type of centre will best suit their needs. (Mention of any centres here is for information purposes only and is not a recommendation or endorsement).  

Go to StartingBlocks Find Children's Education and Care to see a centre's rating.

There are 2 different types of kindergarten:

• Sessional kindergarten
• Integrated kindergarten

Sessional kindergarten is run in standalone kindergartens. They have set hours on set days and usually run only during school terms. Most sessional kindergarten services provide free kindergarten but may charge for excursions and other special events. Some sessional kindergartens also offer extended hours kindergarten for which they charge a fee.

Child Care Subsidy is not available for sessional kindergarten.

Integrated kindergarten is run in early childhood education and care centres that provide childcare for children aged from birth to school age (actual starting age can differ). They offer integrated kindergarten programs for three-year-olds and four-year-olds. This means children could attend the same centre from birth until they go to school.

Integrated kindergarten is subsidised by the Victorian Department of Education under their Free Kinder scheme. It is delivered during a set part of the day, within the childcare setting, by a fully qualified Kindergarten Teacher.  

The hours either side of kindergarten sessions are not covered by the Free Kinder program so there is a cost for your child to attend for a full day. If eligible, families can access the Child Care Subsidy to help with that cost.

All local childcare centres with integrated kindergarten are listed on our Childcare and kindergarten page. 

Select a Victorian Government endorsed kindergarten with the Kinder Tick.

Choosing the right kindergarten for your child depends on your needs.

Importantly, both types:

• provide kindergarten for 3 and 4-year-olds
• provide free kindergarten if the service is part of the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder program
• are taught by an Early Childhood Degree qualified teacher
• run set hours kindergarten sessions.

Kindergarten in Victoria is government-subsidised. Free three and four-year-old Kindergarten is available across Victoria at participating centres at both childcare and sessional (standalone) centres. Participating kindergartens receive funding directly from the Victorian Government, so families are not out of pocket (and do not have to claim the savings back). 

Participating kindergartens may charge an amount for extras such as incursions or excursions. See Free Kinder

Funded kindergarten for three-year old children is a recent addition to children's education. It is being rolled out gradually to be a 15-hour-per-week program, starting two years before school.

Four-year-old children currently attend 15 hours of funded kindergarten per week in the year before they start school. From 2025, four-year-old kindergarten is transitioning to Pre-Prep. All four-year-olds will be attending 30 hours of kindergarten weekly by 2032. Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep

Kindergarten begins when your child turns 3 The timing is aligned to when your child is expected to start school. This table provides a guide. We recommend speaking with your kindergarten about the best time for your child to start 3-year-old kindergarten.

For more information on starting kindergarten visit Best Start, Best Life.

Early Start Kindergarten is a program for children who meet any of these criteria:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• Refugee or asylum seeker background.
• Living in out-of-home care.
• Have had, or their family have had contact with child protection.

A child must have turned three by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten to be eligible.

For more information, visit Early Start Kindergarten.

Services with the Kinder Tick:

• are led by a qualified teacher
• use play-based learning
• are funded and approved by the Victorian Government
• run a program that complies with government guidelines and the National Quality Framework.

All services listed on our childcare and kindergarten pages have the Kinder Tick.

Find a Kinder Tick service.

All the services listed below have the Kinder Tick.

To register contact the following community-managed kindergartens operating from Council buildings directly.

• Albert Park Kinder
  18 Dundas Place, Albert Park
  Phone: 03 8672 9981
• Bubup Womindjeka Family and Children's Centre
  85 Liardet Street, Port Melbourne
  Phone: 03 9676 8400
  Email: info@bwfcc.org.au
• Civic Kindergarten
  256 Richardson Street, Middle Park
  Phone: 0403 097 244
• Lady Forster Kindergarten
  63b Ormond Esplanade, Elwood
  Phone: 03 9531 6812
• Lilian Cannam Kindergarten
  97 Eastern Road, South Melbourne
  Phone: 03 9699 3695

To register contact the following community-managed kindergartens operating from their own building directly.

• Middle Park Kindergarten
  131 Mills Street, Middle Park
  Phone: 03 9690 1220

To register contact the following kindergartens directly.

• Port Phillip Specialist Pre-School
  Corner of Nott St and Poole St, Port Melbourne
  Email: port.phillip.ss@edumail.vic.gov.au
• Port Melbourne Uniting Care Kindergarten
  144 Bridge Street, Port Melbourne
  Phone: 1800 183 103

To register contact the following kindergartens directly.

• St Michael's Kindergarten
  8-12 Marlton Crescent, St Kilda
  Phone: 03 8530 3320
• Wesley College Early Learning Centre
  625 St Kilda Road, St Kilda
  Phone: 03 8102 6108
• Yesodei Ha Torah College
  39 Dickens Street, Elwood
  Phone: 9531 3203

Help is available with accessing childcare and kindergarten for children who are aged zero to five years of age.

Access to childcare and kindergarten

Programs and information available for parents who live in the City of Port Phillip.

Family support

Financial support for some out-of-pocket expenses, if eligible. For families living in City of Port Phillip who are experiencing vulnerability.

Financial support for childcare and kindergarten

Every page on Council’s website can be translated into 16 different languages. Click on the drop-down arrow next to Translate at the top of the page to select your language.

If your language is not listed, you can find help on the interpreter services page.

Interpreter Services - City of Port Phillip

MCH nurses can help you with the changes to family life when a new baby arrives, provide parenting tips, immunisation information and monitor your child for healthy growth. MCH is a free service for families with children zero to six years of age. You will need to make an appointment.

Maternal and child health - City of Port Phillip

City of Port Phillip hosts sessions that provide families with best practice parenting strategies and guidance.

Parent information sessions - City of Port Phillip

General family advice, referrals, and support to families with children aged zero to eight years of age.

Parenting support and advice - City of Port Phillip

Playgroups are a great way for parents and children to meet new people, have fun and find support. City of Port Phillip has community playgroups, supported playgroups and pop-up playgroups that meet locally.

Playgroups - City of Port Phillip

If you have any questions or need help with registering for childcare or kindergarten, contact the CSIRE waitlist officer:

Phone: 03 9209 6360

Email: cccwaitlinglist@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Register for childcare and kindergarten

Just like a regular library, only for toys. An inexpensive way to provide children with a wide variety of games, puzzles and play equipment. There are four libraries within City of Port Phillip located in Elwood, Middle Park, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne.

Toy libraries - City of Port Phillip