Frequently Asked Questions

Each child is different, and we recommend carefully considering your child’s readiness before starting kindergarten, as this may have a flow on effect for when they start school.

Your child has to be 3 years of age on or before 30 April to be eligible to attend 3-year-old kindergarten in that year. We do require your child to have turned 3 years of age before they can start attending kindergarten, your child’s place will be held until they turn 3 years old and fees will only apply once they can start attending.

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April, your child can begin 3-year-old kindergarten in the year they turn 3 or 4. It is important to note that funded 3 year old kindergarten cannot be repeated and once completed your child will progress to the 4-year-old funded program.

When your child starts at kindergarten directly relates to the age they will start at primary school. Speak to your local services about the best time for your child to start at 3-year-old Kinder.

Our kindergarten classes have a maximum of 26 children per class with at least 2 educators (including a University-trained Early Childhood Teacher and a Diploma or Cert III trained educator).

You can click here to see our full timetable.

Snack and Lunch are key aspects of our daily routine, not only to ensure that your child has a good level of energy to enjoy their Kinder experience, but equally as importantly, these are critical times for their social and language development!

At Geelong West Kindergarten both the 3 and 4 year old Kinder programs offer a “progressive snack” routine. A small table (or mat) is available for small groups of children to eat at and talk to their Kinder friends. This also provides the opportunity for the remainder of the group to continue to play uninterrupted, until they are ready to eat. We find that children tend to stay at snack for longer periods when they are part of a small group, engaging in “big” conversations.

The 4 year old kinder programs enjoy lunch time eating as a full group, sometimes inside, or if the weather is suitable we will use our picnic tables or sit on picnic mats on the grass in the sunshine!

Families are asked to supply food for their child and Geelong West Kindergarten is proud of their Healthy Food policy.

Our teachers are all qualified Early Childhood Teachers with ACECQA (the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority) approved qualifications. Our co-educators all have either a Diploma or Certificate III in the Early Childhood setting.

It is natural for kinder children to feel anxious when saying goodbye to parents, especially in the first few weeks. In early childhood, crying, tantrums, or clinginess, are healthy reactions to separation and a normal stage of development. It’s important to remember that a little worry over leaving mum or dad is normal, even when your child is older.

Here are 4 simple strategies you can use to help both you and your child at this time:

1. Develop a quick “goodbye” ritual.  Rituals are reassuring and can be as simple as a special wave through the window or a goodbye kiss. Keep it quick.
2. Leave without fanfare.  Tell your child you are leaving to go and do some boring job (like housework) and that you will return, then go—don’t stall or make it a bigger deal than it is. Resist the temptation to stay and soothe your child as this creates a mixed message.
3. Follow through on promises.  For your child to develop the confidence that they can handle separation, it’s important you return at the time you promised. Returning a few minutes early can really help.
4. Try not to give in.  Reassure your child that they will be just fine—setting consistent limits will help your child’s adjustment to separation.

The Geelong West Kindergarten requires an Application Fee when a child is entered onto the waitlist. This is currently $30 and payable when an application is submitted via the Enrolment Page.

A Commitment Fee of $100 is payable when an offer for a position has been accepted.  This fee will be refunded once the child has commenced their kindergarten year.

Due to funding from the Vic Goverment there are no term fees payable.

If the Application Fee or Commitment Fee represents a barrier to your potential application, please contact the kinder to discuss alternate arrangements.

Because your child will be 3 when they come to kindergarten, we feel it is developmentally appropriate for your child to have started toilet training at home.

All children are different and we understand that they may have accidents.

The staff are willing to support you and your child with this as best we can.

It is no longer possible to repeat funded 3 year old kindergarten; once your child has completed this year they will progress to the funded four year old program the following year.

During four-year-old kindergarten, your early childhood teacher will assess your child, plan for their move to school and identify any developmental areas that may need particular attention.

There may be a small number of children for whom a second year of kindergarten is appropriate. Your child may be eligible if:

• your child’s teacher has found they have developmental delays in at least two key areas of learning and development, and
• your child will have better outcomes through a second year of kindergarten than going to school.

It is possible for your child to attend our centre in the 3 or 4 year old funded program and a day care facility but only if they are not utilising the funded program at the day care facility.  Please contact the kindergarten if you are unsure.