How kindergarten places are allocated

We allocate places in kindergartens that are part of the kindergarten central registration scheme, ensuring the allocation process is fair, equitable and consistent. 

We administer places according to the preferences you nominate in your application, and according to the criteria below.

3-year-old kindergarten

Based on the applicant’s first preference, places are allocated according to the following criteria and in line with the Victorian Government’s priority of access.

1. High-priority children:

  • Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in Out-of-Home Care.
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children.
  • Asylum seeker and refugee children.
  • Children that meet the eligibility criteria for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy.
  • Children with additional needs.

2.  Siblings:

Children with a sibling with a prior connection to the kindergarten within the last 5 years, in order of:

  • residents of Boroondara – closest kindergarten
  • residents of Boroondara
  • non-residents.

3.  Residents of Boroondara - closest kindergarten:

Boroondara residents applying for closest member kindergarten to their residential address, as measured by a geographical straight line, as their first preference.

4.  All other residents of Boroondara

5.  Non-resident with high-priority children

6.  All other non-residents 

Note: Deferrals no longer form part of the Kindergarten Central Registration Policy from the 2025 allocation process. Deferrals from the 2024 allocation process will be honoured.

If all criteria are equal, positions will be determined by a computer-generated random allocation. Fulfilling the criteria for registration does not guarantee a placement at a member kindergarten due to the excessive number of applicants.

4-year-old kindergarten 

While generally children applying to the 4-year-old kindergarten program in Boroondara receive a place by the end of the allocation process, we cannot guarantee to place your child in your preferred kindergarten.

Based on the applicant’s first preference, places are allocated according to the following criteria and in line ‌with the Victorian Government’s priority of access.

1.  High-priority children:

  • Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in Out-of-Home Care.
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children.
  • Asylum seeker and refugee children.
  • Children that meet the eligibility criteria for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy.
  • Children with additional needs.

2.   Second year of 4-year-old kindergarten: 

Children currently enrolled at the kindergarten who have received funding for a second year of 4-year-old kindergarten are placed at the same kindergarten.

3.   Previous attendance 

Children who have attended the 3-year-old program in the previous year and have applied for the 4-year-old program at the same kindergarten, in order of:

  • residents of Boroondara – closest kindergarten
  • residents of Boroondara
  • non-residents.

4.   Siblings: 

Children with a sibling with a prior connection to the kindergarten within the last 5 years in order of:

  • residents of Boroondara – closest kindergarten
  • residents of Boroondara
  • non-residents.

5.   Residents of Boroondara – closest kindergarten 

Boroondara residents applying to their closest member kindergarten to their residential address, as measured by a geographical straight line, as their first preference.

6.   All other residents of Boroondara

7.   Non-Resident with High Priority children

8.   All other non-residents

If all criteria are equal, positions will be determined by a computer-generated random allocation. Fulfilling the criteria for registration does not guarantee a placement at a member kindergarten due to the excessive number of applicants.

Kindergarten Central Registration Policy

For details of the policy for attendance at a 3- or 4-year-old kindergarten download the Kindergarten Central Registration Policy.  
 


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