2024 kindergarten expressions of interest open

Published on 09 May 2023

Expressions of interest for Gannawarra Shire Council’s three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten programs for 2024 are now open.

Council manages three-year-old and four-year-old programs at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook and Leitchville, enabling families the choice to select a local provider.

“Kindergarten is the first step in a child’s education journey, as it supports children to develop positive relationships, problem-solving skills, ways to manage their emotions, and approaches to exploring, discovering and learning about themselves and the world around them,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“The next few years will be an exciting time for our children’s services, highlighted by being one of the first municipalities in Victoria to roll out the State Government’s Pre-Prep program in 2025, which will replace the current four-year-old kindergarten program with a structure that provides every four-year-old child up to 30-hours per week play-based learning for 40 weeks of the year.”

To be eligible for four-year-old kindergarten, children must be turning four years of age before 30 April 2024; and to be eligible for three-year-old programs, children must be three years of age before 30 April 2024.

To assist with planning for next year, parents and guardians of children eligible for either program are encouraged to visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/enrolments or contact the Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre to complete an Expression of Interest.

“Enrolment packs will be sent in the coming weeks to families who complete an Expression of Interest and parents and guardians who have children currently accessing three-year-old programs, as well as children who attend the Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre Long Day Care who are eligible to attend either program,” Mr Rollinson said.

“Parents and guardians can prepare now by having a number of documents ready prior to receiving an enrolment pack. These include their child’s current immunisation history statement from Medicare, any related court orders and, if applicable, a signed Medical Action Plan from their child’s doctor.”

To assist with planning for 2024 programs, parents and guardians are encouraged to return their completed enrolment packs by 5pm Friday, 30 June.

For more information, please contact the Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre on (03) 5452 1357.