Register for Kindergarten

Register for kindergarten the year before your child will be attending. To be processed in first round offers, register between 1 May and 30 June, for a place the following year. All registrations received during this period are treated as being received at the same time. It is not first in, first served. 

Kindergarten registration is open all year round for those who miss the May/June registration period.

Registration is free.

A refundable acceptance deposit will be required by the kindergarten.
 

For vacancies in the 2024 year, please contact the Early Years Team on 9599 4733.

Each child requires a separate registration.

How to register depends on which category below the child relates to:

If you are experiencing difficulties with the online process, contact the Early Years Team on 9599 4733 who will be able to assist you.

To complete the registration online, you need to have at least two kindergarten service preferences. Use this link to Find a kindergarten service near me.      

Evidence of your residential address will need to be uploaded to verify the name of the parent/guardian or child and their current address. Accepted documents include: (only one document is required)

• a current Victorian Driver's licence
• a utilities bill e.g. gas, electricity, water
• a recent phone/internet bill

You will also need your concession card if applicable.

Kindergarten preferences are selected on the registration form:

When you are registering, you will select your preferred kindergarten, not the session times. 

The registration form provides session information for your reference only. 

Session Preferences are selected directly with the kindergarten:

Please see What happens after I have registered? for information about selecting your preferred session days/times. 

An email acknowledging receipt of registration is sent to the applicant. 

Kindergarten registrations received by June 30 will be processed in the first round of offers on 22 July. Registrations received after June 30 and by July 26 will be processed with the second round of offers on Monday 5 August. Registrations received after July 26 and by August 9 will be processed with the third round of offers on Monday 19 August. 

All registrations received post August 9 will be considered in the processing of all future offers.

Council processes registrations and allocates an offer to a kindergarten in July.

Families receive a kindergarten offer in July/August and have 7 days to accept or decline it. On some occasions, where there are more registrations than places available, a waitlist notification will be issued. 

The next step which finalises the enrolment, is between the kindergarten and the family. 

Within 7 days of accepting the place, complete additional enrolment information, including families selecting preferred sessions, and pay a refundable holding deposit (if requested), directly with the kindergarten. Most kindergartens will contact you about completing this information as soon as you have accepted the offer. Once these details have been finalised with the kindergarten, the registration and enrolment process is complete.

While every effort is made to allocate your first preference kindergarten, in some cases, Council receives more applications for a kindergarten than there are places available. Where this occurs, Council allocates in accordance with State Government Guidelines which prioritise access for children who are vulnerable, at risk, or have a disability. For all other places, Bayside's Central Registration priority criteria are applied.  

To make changes to your registration during the Registration period, you will need to contact the Early Year's Team on 9599 4733. Any changes must be submitted before June 30 to be effective in the offer process. 

To cancel your registration during the Registration period you will need to contact the Early Years Team earlyyears@bayside.vic.gov.au or phone 9599 4733
You can also decline the offer when offer emails are sent out (there will be button to decline and cancel your registration).
 

Under the ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation, before your child can commence at an education and care service, you have to provide evidence to that service that your child is up to date with all vaccinations that are due for their age, or able to receive. You do not need to provide this information to council when registering for a kindergarten place as you will provide it directly to your kindergarten provider when finalising the enrolment.

An immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is the only form of documentation accepted for the purpose of enrolling in an early childhood education and care service. Previous forms of documentation, for example, a letter from a GP or local council, are no longer accepted.

Parents and carers can print a copy of their child’s Immunisation History Statement from their myGov account or:

• call the AIR on 1800 653 809

• visit a Medicare or Centrelink office.

Families who do not hold a Medicare card must call the AIR to request an immunisation history statement. A translating and interpreting service is available by calling 131 450, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.45pm.