Central Registration Scheme
The Central Registration Scheme (CRS) is a local government-led initiative designed to simplify and streamline the kindergarten registration and enrolment process for families within the Golden Plains Shire. It provides a single point of entry for families to apply for multiple kindergarten services, ensuring equitable, transparent, and accessible allocation of places.
Key Features:
Centralised Application Process: Families register through the council or service provider websites, not directly with kindergartens.
Equity and Inclusion: Prioritises access for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, including those eligible for Early Start Kindergarten (ESK).
Transparent Allocation: Places are allocated based on Department of Education (DE) Priority of Access (PoA) criteria and local community context.
Supportive Engagement: Maternal and Child Health nurses and other support services assist families in completing registrations.
Data-Driven Planning: Registration data helps monitor service capacity and inform future planning.
All enquiries regarding the Central Registration Scheme should be addressed to the Early Years Team on either (03) 5220 7230 or by emailing [email protected]
Participating Kindergartens:
When should your child start kindergarten?
It is important families understand when their child starts at kindergarten it directly relates to the age they will start primary school. Families are encouraged to consider multiple factors when enrolling their child in 3-year-old kindergarten.
In order for your child to be eligible to attend three-year-old kindergarten they must have turned three (3) by 30th April in the year of enrolment.
Families and carers with children born between January and April can choose in which year to start three-year-old kindergarten! They may choose to send their child in the year that they are turning three (3)* or start the following year to align with the school starting age.
A child is only able to access one (1) year of government funded three-year-old kindergarten and must be enrolled in only one (1) funded kindergarten program at any one time.
Children accessing three-year-old kindergarten will transition to four-year-old kindergarten the following year.
Due to child to educator ratios, an enrolled child will not be permitted to commence at the kindergarten until they are three (3) years of age.
*the child must have turned three (3) by 30th April in the year of enrolment.
What are the benefits of waiting a little longer:
Emotional and Social Development
Some children may benefit from an extra year at home to build confidence, independence and emotional regulation
If your child is shy, anxious or not yet comfortable in group settings, waiting a year can help them feel more prepared
Maturity for School Readiness
Delaying kindergarten can mean your child will be older and potentially more mature when starting school, which can positively impact learning, attention span and social interactions
Let's change the language from 'keeping them back' to 'holding off' to allow them to thrive and be more resilient.
In order for your child to be eligible to attend four-year-old kindergarten they must have turned four (4) by 30th April in the year of enrolment.
Children meeting the criteria for a second year of four-year-old kindergarten will be eligible to access one additional year of kindergarten prior to starting school.
To ensure a fair, equitable and transparent allocation of kindergarten places, each registration is given weighting based on the Victorian Department of Education Priority of Access followed by our locally agreed criteria.
Please click here to view the Priority of Access Criteria.
Enrolment requirements in Victoria
By law, to finalise enrolment for your child in long day care, kindergarten, family day care or occasional care, you must provide the service with a current immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) that shows your child is up to date with all the immunisations that are due or able to receive for their age.
What is an immunisation history statement?
It is a statement from the AIR that shows what vaccines your child has received and, if applicable, which vaccines are due in the future and when.
All vaccines recorded on the AIR will appear on your child’s immunisation history statement. You do not need to do anything to get your child on the AIR. Your vaccination provider will tell the AIR when they give your child a vaccine and which vaccines they have given.
Vaccines on the National Immunisation Program Schedule are provided free.
What is this document used for?
To finalise enrolment. To accept an offered place at a service, you must provide a current immunisation history statement. This is usually done within two months before your child is due to start at the service.
To keep children safe. If there is a disease outbreak at the service, the document is used to identify children at risk (for example, children too young or those who cannot be fully immunised against a disease) who may need to stay away from the service until it is safe for them to return.
What if I cannot get a statement?
In some circumstances, a 16 week ‘support period’ (also known as the ‘grace period’) can be applied, so your child can start at the service while you arrange to get a statement.