Centralised kindergarten enrolments on the cards

Published on 09 March 2016

Is your child currently attending kinder? Or have they recently finished kinder?

Mildura Rural City Council is working to improve the kindergarten enrolment process for local families by introducing a centralised enrolment model and is seeking feedback from parents who have used the current system.

Community Wellbeing and Services portfolio Councillor Sharyon Peart said most Victorian councils operate centralised enrolment systems for kindergarten programs and Council has been investigating this option for some time.

“Currently parents have to complete a separate form for each kindergarten they would like their child to be considered for,” Cr Peart explained.  “A centralised enrolment system would allow parents to apply to multiple participating kindergarten services at one time.”

The aim of the centralised system is to provide a consistent, simple service and application process for all local families.

“Families would still be able to visit the kindergartens directly and nominate their preference but the aim is to give fairer opportunity to all families.  A centralised model has the advantage of understanding waiting lists and vacancies which currently we aren’t able to gather that sort of information," Cr Peart explained.

 “We'd love to hear about your experiences enrolling your child in kindergarten.”

The 2016 Supporting Enrolment in Kindergarten Program Survey is now available online at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay or in hard copy from Council Service Centres and is open until Monday 14 March.

More information is available from Mildura Rural City Council’s Early Years Coordinator on (03) 5018 8100 or by emailing earlyyears@mildura.vic.gov.au