Starting 3-year-old kindergarten is a big milestone – not just for children, but for families too. In Victoria, children typically begin kindergarten at age three and attend two years of funded early learning before moving on to school. But not every child is ready the moment they turn three.
Kindergarten readiness is about more than age – it’s about a child’s stage of development. As parents and caregivers, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is when to begin this journey. Here’s what you need to know to make the choice that’s right for your family.
When is my child eligible to start 3-year-old kinder?
The Victorian Department of Education offers free kindergarten programs for all eligible children. To enrol in 3-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn three by 30 April in the year they’re attending.
Children must be three years old before they can start. So if your child’s birthday is between January and 30 April, they’ll need to wait until their actual birthday to begin. That means they may miss part of Term 1, which can impact their learning and social connections.
As ECMS Practice Coach Kristie Dowell explains:
“One of the major drawbacks of starting your child at kinder, if their birthday fits into that January to April period, is that they may not get a full two years of early childhood education. They’re missing out on those first crucial months… their play is different, and that is already a barrier to inclusion.”
What does ‘readiness’ actually mean?
Every child develops at their own pace. Readiness isn’t about intelligence, and it certainly isn’t a reflection of parenting. It’s about whether your child has the social, emotional, physical and communication skills to begin in a kindergarten environment.
Some things to think about include:
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Can they separate from you with minimal distress?
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Do they communicate in their own way when they need help?
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Are they beginning to take turns, follow basic instructions, and show signs of playing cooperatively with other children?
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Are they beginning to notice their own cues for hunger/thirst and toileting needs?
If you’re unsure how to assess these areas, start with a conversation. Teachers are highly qualified to observe children’s development and can help guide your decision.
Work back from school, not just up from age
It’s easy to focus on turning three as a marker, but an equally important question is: when do you want your child to start school?
As Kristie Dowell puts it:
“Some children may still be four when they start school. So we really want those families to start thinking about when they want their children to start school and work back from there.”
Starting school as one of the youngest in the year level can be challenging. A child might manage fine in kinder but find prep exhausting – emotionally, socially, and physically – especially if they’re still developing resilience and self-regulation skills. We want children to thrive at school, not just survive!
The benefits of waiting a little longer
Choosing to wait a year can offer real advantages, particularly for children born in the early months of the year. Some of the key benefits include:
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Stronger social confidence and friendships
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Better emotional and behavioural regulation
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Greater readiness for group learning environments
If you do decide to wait, there are still many ways to prepare your child for a positive start later on:
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Join a playgroup or attend regular playdates
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Attend an early learning centre or occasional care
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Visit your local library for Storytime sessions
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Create routines that mirror a kinder day, like packing a bag or eating lunch with some independence
As outlined in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLD):
“Children’s learning is dynamic, complex and holistic. Physical, social, emotional, personal, spiritual, creative, cognitive and linguistic aspects of learning are all intricately interwoven and interrelated.”
This holistic development takes time – and that time looks different for every child.
Talk to your teaching team
The best advice? Before you enrol your child, get in touch with the team at your preferred kindergarten. Talk to the educators, tell them about your child, their personality traits, their interactions with others, anything that would help your educators give you individualised, informed advice based on your child’s needs and personality – not just their age.
Some helpful questions to ask include:
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What are the signs my child is ready for 3-year-old kinder?
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What would the benefits be of waiting another year?
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How would your team support my child if we decide to start now?
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Can my child access a second year of 3-year-old or 4-year-old kinder if we think they need more time?
It’s also important to understand that there is no official ‘deferral’ process. Once a child is enrolled, they must attend or risk losing that funded year. A child can withdraw their enrolment before they start but if the child starts and then withdraws they can lose their entire year of 3-year-old funding. They would be eligible for 4-year-old kindergarten year only. If you’re not sure, it’s best to hold off enrolling until you’re confident in your decision.
Readiness for school starts with readiness for kinder
Looking ahead to school can also help guide your kinder starting year decision. School readiness isn’t about knowing letters and numbers – it’s about children feeling confident and capable in a group learning environment.
Key skills that support this transition include:
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Working through emotions and beginning to feel confident in new settings
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Making connections and beginning to maintain friendships
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Following basic instructions, beginning to ask for help, and communicating their needs
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Showing independence – beginning to use the toilet, opening their lunchbox, and looking after their belongings
As Kristie Dowell notes, younger children in kinder and prep “may not always get what they need” in a group setting if they have a sensitive temperament or require closer adult support. In those cases, a later start can make all the difference.
Your decision
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For some families, an earlier start to kinder fits beautifully into your routine and supports a child ready for this environment. For others, holding off a year gives your child the time they need to thrive.
Whatever your situation, talk it through with the teaching team, think ahead to school, and trust that you know your child best. Our role is to walk alongside you, providing expert support and guidance – wherever you are in the journey.