Free Kindergarten in Victoria – Get a Head Start on Your Child’s Future At Aurrum Kids

Why Choose Funded Kindergarten in Victoria

Aurrum Kids’ free kinder in Victoria is all about giving our young learners a great education in a warm, caring, and nurturing environment where they can play, grow, and thrive. We’re excited to offer the state government’s funded kindergarten program, making early childcare for 3-5 year olds available for all families.

Government funded kindergarten is there for children who qualify, helping them learn and develop before starting school. This program is set up to ensure children enjoy the benefits that come with early learning.

In Victoria, your child can start kindergarten when they turn 3 (for 2 years of kindergarten before school). If your child was born between January and April, you can pick which year to start 3-Year-Old kindergarten, either when they turn 3 or when they turn 4. To find out when your child can start, check the when to start calculator.

As an Approved Kindergarten Long Day Care Service, Aurrum Kids joined the free Kinder Victoria program, which provides eligible children with 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten each week for 2 years before they start formal schooling. This could mean a $2,050 fee reduction (or pro-rata) for your child’s 3-Year or 4-Year kindergarten enrolment.

Aurrum Kids will receive the funding straight from the Victorian Government, so your family won’t have to pay anything upfront, and you won’t need to claim back any savings.

Contact us at Aurrum Kids today to learn more about free kindergarten in Victoria.

Benefits

Kindergarten programs delivered by qualified early childhood teachers play a crucial role in preparing children for a successful start in school and life. Attending kindergarten provides children with the essential educational foundation and support they need for learning as they grow. Through kindergarten, children gain skills that stay with them, like the benefits of outdoor play, how to get along with others, manage their feelings, and think critically. Government funded kindergarten also helps in important areas such as:

School Readiness

Enrolling your child in an Aurrum Kids kindergarten program helps them get the important skills and knowledge they need for school. Our play-based curriculum focuses on:

teaching basic skills like language, literacy, and numeracy
learning through fun, engaging, and hands-on activities
exploring new ideas and concepts through STEM activities
enjoying regular incursions and excursions

taking part in lessons on food and the environment
developing social and interpersonal skills, making them more confident and ready to move on to primary school.

Access affordable and quality education for your child

Through kindergarten funding in Victoria, you can access affordable and quality education that provides your child with the best possible start to their educational journey. Our funded kindergarten program is thoughtfully crafted to engage young learners through play-based exploration, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning, while helping families benefit from reduced costs. With government support, we make quality early education attainable, offering your child the best start in life with an engaging, structured program tailored to their developmental needs.

Quality resources and support for your child’s education

Kindergarten is an exciting and formative stage in a child’s life, and at Aurrum Kids, we ensure that families receive comprehensive resources and support to enhance their child’s early education experience. Our nurturing and experienced educators prioritise creating a fun learning environment where children feel encouraged to learn, socialise, and explore their unique talents. From hands-on projects to imaginative play, our program is purposefully designed to instill children with a lifelong love of learning, foster social skills, and help build their confidence. For families with children who have special needs, we also offer additional resources and tailored support, ensuring every child receives the guidance and care they need to thrive.

Get peace of mind

At Aurrum Kids, we understand the importance of peace of mind for families, and we are committed to creating an environment where parents feel confident that their child is receiving the very best in education. Children develop strong relationships with our educators, and our innovative teaching methods, high-quality resources, and modern facilities will help better prepare them for school. From the latest learning tools to purposefully designed classrooms and outdoor spaces, every detail at Aurrum Kids is crafted to offer children a stimulating and safe learning environment. We are committed to building the connection between our children, the centre, and the local community.

Free up your schedule

Balancing work and family responsibilities is a challenge for many parents, and Aurrum Kids is here to help ease that load. Our free kindergarten Victoria program is integrated with long daycare, giving you the flexibility of early drop-off and late pick-ups as needed. Enrolling your child with us means they will be in a safe, enriching environment that supports their growth and development. Our program not only provides essential academic preparation but also:

emphasises critical social and emotional skills
children learn how to interact respectfully, share, and play collaboratively with their peers
build friendships and positive social habits that are crucial for their development
through group activities and structured play, they gain confidence in social settings

learning to navigate interactions in a calm, respectful, and rewarding way

With our extended hours and reliable care, you can focus on your work and personal commitments.

How Does Free Kinder Work?

Check eligibility

To be eligible for government funded kindergarten in VIC, families must meet certain criteria, including:

Residency: Your family must live in Victoria.
Age: Your child must be at least 3 years old.
Approved Free Kinder Victoria: The funded kindergarten program must be approved by the Victorian Department of Education and Training. Aurrum Kids is approved in the Free Kinder Victoria program.

Enrol in our government funded kindergarten program

Call Aurrum Kids on 1300 287 786 or enquire here, and we’ll provide you with the forms and information you need to complete to receive your funding for kinder free childcare in Victoria.

Provide written consent for our service to claim the funding

Simply fill in the funded kindergarten Victoria forms. We’ll provide these forms to you on your enrolment.

Enjoy partially subsidised Kindergarten fees

Your childcare fees will be partially subsidised against the funded kindergarten program in line with state funding rules. Ask our team to learn more.

Exceptional Educational Facilities

Early learning environment

Our facilities have been purpose-built with large outdoor and indoor spaces, promoting physical activity and creative thinking through a sustainable design. From well-equipped classrooms and art studios to outdoor kitchens and sensory-rich play areas, our nurturing centres offer a healthy and safe early childhood learning environment for children to grow and develop.

Nutrition

Aurrum Kids is passionate about the health of our little ones. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on nutrition and provide wholesome, fresh meals to support the growth and development of every child in our care. Our childcare menu features a variety of foods from different cultures, giving children a chance to explore new flavours while still enjoying their favourites.

Educators

Our Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teachers use a play-based approach that incorporates hands-on learning, language development, and social skills to create a supportive and nurturing environment for your child. By incorporating a play-based early learning curriculum and the Early Years Learning Framework, our educators aim to spark a lifelong love of learning in every child who walks through our doors.

Convenient for families

We understand that balancing work and family can be challenging. That’s why we have designed our facilities with your convenience in mind. From our convenient drop-off and pick-up spaces, to our extended hours of 6:30am to 6:30pm, we aim to make life a little easier for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does funded kindergarten work?

In Victoria, 3 and 4 year old children are eligible for partially subsidised pre-kindergarten and kindergarten fees at participating services. Participating long-day care services will receive the Free Kinder Victoria funding directly from the government and then pass on a saving in the form of reduced fees on a regular basis (fortnightly or monthly).

Who is eligible for funded kindergarten in Victoria?

Three or Four-Year-Old children must be enrolled for a minimum of 15 hours per week to be eligible for our funded kindergarten program.

There are more flexible options for Three-Year-Old kindergarten programs, meaning providers will determine how many hours that they offer government funded kindergarten programs. This can range between 5 and 15 hours per week. At Aurrum Kids, we aim to provide 15 hours per week for both Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old children with funded kindergarten in Victoria.

How much can I expect to pay in the end?

In Victoria, Free Kinder can mean a saving of up to $2,050 per child. Your out-of-pocket cost will vary depending on your centre of enrolment. Learn more about child care subsidy eligibility here.

Where do I need to apply?

Aurrum Kids will provide eligible families with a form that they can fill out to receive funding prior to their child starting kindergarten. To apply, call Aurrum Kids on 1300 287 786 or enquire here,

Can I switch to a funded kindergarten from a non-funded kindergarten?

Families can access only fee relief at one kindergarten or long day care service at any specific time. However, families can switch to a funded kindergarten program from a non-funded kindergarten if they are only going to receive funding from one service.

Where can I find more information about funded kindergarten programs?

You can find out more information about the free kindergarten Victoria program here.

Our centres

Ballarat

Victoria

Mornington Peninsula