FAQ

The Victorian kindergarten program is a one to two-year pre-school program for children before they enter primary school. Kindergarten is not compulsory in Victoria, but it does help children to develop social, mental, and physical skills in preparation for school. In 2010, 95% of eligible Victorian children attended kindergarten. Victoria offers a range of kindergarten options. Hughesdale Kindergarten is committed to providing a stimulating learning program for three to five-year-olds, in a diverse environment which reflects the individual interests, voice, and uniqueness of each child.

Play-based learning is a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects, and representations. Play provides opportunities for children to learn as they discover, create, improvise, and imagine. When children play with other children, they create social groups, test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings. Play provides a supportive environment where children can ask questions, solve problems, and engage in critical thinking. Play can expand children’s thinking and enhance their desire to know and to learn. Play is widely recognised as the best learning tool for children. It is valued, respected and supported by all staff at Hughesdale Kindergarten and part of the Belonging, Being & Becoming: Early Years Learning Framework for Australia.

You can register your child’s enrolment from 18 months of age. To register your child in kindergarten, go to the Monash Parent Portal. You will need to create an account if you haven’t already done so, and follow the prompts to submit your application. Families can enrol, pay the administration fee and view their application details from home at any time. You can login to update your details and change your kindergarten preference at any time up until the application close date. It is your responsibility to ensure that your details are correct and up-to-date at all times to allow Monash City Council to process your child’s kindergarten application in the relevant allocation rounds. If you are unsure whether you have an account or not, please contact the Monash Council Kindergarten Support team on 9518 3555 or e-mail kinderenrolments@monash.vic.gov.au.

To attend 3-year-old kindergarten, your child must have turned three (3) before 30th April in the year they attend. If your child turns 3 AFTER the start of Term 1 (but before 30th of April), they will not be able to attend kinder until they have turned 3.

To attend 4-year-old kindergarten, your child must have turned four (4) before 30th April in the year they attend. This usually means that if your child’s birthday falls before 30 April in the calendar year, it will have flow-on effects of having some choice about your child starting school in the year they turn five, or the next year when they turn six (depending on when they started kindergarten). Children learn at different rates, in different ways, and at different times. If your child falls under this category, they may benefit from starting a kindergarten program later. Please note that your child must also be enrolled in primary school by the age of six unless you have applied for an exemption.

If you are unsure about the best time for your child to start a kindergarten program, please ask one of our teachers for advice by calling us on 9569 5019. Some details about expectations for your child can be found in "Is Your Child Ready for 3-Year-Old Kinder?" section on the Enrolments page as well as in Our Programs. You can also see the kindergarten environment through our Virtual Tour. Additionally, you may speak directly with your child’s Maternal and Child Health nurse, family doctor and any other professionals your child sees (for example, Speech Therapist, Physiotherapist, Paediatrician). It is important to carefully consider which year your child will start kindergarten, because your child is only able to receive one year each of funded 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten before starting school, and all children will be expected to transition through to the next year unless there is significant benefit to the child’s development by repeating 4-year-old as assessed by kinder teachers and liaising with any early childhood professionals that are involved.

Yes, you can defer your child’s place. After discussion with your child's educator, you MUST withdraw from the program before the end of the first term when the Government Data Collection counts the child as attending for the year. This allows you to access another funded 3 year-old kindergarten position the following year. You can discuss the deferral process with the enrolment officers at Hughesdale Kindergarten if you require further information.

We have 26 children per 3-year old session, and 27 children per 4-year old session, with three qualified educators for each session.

If you would like to see our kindergarten in action, please view our Virtual Tour or Contact Us to arrange an in-person tour, although this may be limited by the COVID situation. This is a great way to get a ‘feel’ for each program, to ask questions and to share information about your child. What to look for when you visit a service

• Were you made to feel welcome? High-quality kindergarten programs are based on a partnership between families and educators. Did the educators ask questions about your child and your family?

• Are there a variety of fun and challenging learning opportunities that celebrate the cultures of the children who use the service?

• Do the indoor and outdoor areas offer the children stimulating learning experiences – for example, the opportunity to explore and discover new things? Is there space for the children to play with others or alone? Are there spaces where children can go to be quiet?

Have your questions ready. Examples may include:

• How will the educators work with you to support your child’s learning?

• How will the educators include your child’s interests?

• If your child has additional needs, how will the service support you and your child?

• How does the program encourage positive behaviour?

• What will happen if your child becomes unwell or upset?

• What is the service’s rating against the National Quality Standard (part of an Australia-wide quality system of education and care services)? Can you see the written assessment?

• What is the waiting list for places like?

We respect each child is individual and develops at his/her own rate. We encourage families to have begun toilet training and will work to support your child’s development to promote a positive outcome.

Children do have toileting accidents on occasion, which are managed sensitively and discretely by educators. We ask each family to keep a complete change of clothes in their child’s bag in case children require changing. They’re also handy for when your child becomes thoroughly immersed in water play outside!

Following the ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation, all parents/guardians seeking to enroll their child into Hughesdale kindergarten will be requested to provide evidence that the child is:

• Fully immunised for their age; or

• On a vaccination catch-up program; or

• Unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons

Please note that ‘Conscientious Objection’ will not be an exemption. To obtain a copy of an Immunisation History Statement for your child, contact Medicare via:

• Online at Medicare online accounts

• Email air@servicesaustralia.gov.au

• Telephone 1800 653 809

• Your local Medicare office

To view the immunisation schedule (what vaccines are due at what age) see the National Immunisation Program Schedule, or speak to your doctor. Overseas immunisation records will not be accepted

Children who were vaccinated overseas must attend a doctor/ immunisation nurse to have their overseas immunisation record assessed and will be offered any catch-up immunisations as required. You will need to provide the kinder with an Immunisation Status Certificate before your child can attend kindergarten.

Children with allergies and anaphylaxis must have a current alert page, signed by a doctor, displayed at Kindergarten, along with any medication which is to be used if a child is exposed to their allergen/s.

An unassigned EpiPen is also kept at the kindergarten.

Risk minimisation plans are completed for all children with anaphylaxis, allergy and asthma and copies are given to families. All staff have current first aid qualifications and participate in annual updates for anaphylaxis and asthma management. Please consult our Policy section.

We provide education and care for children with a diverse range of needs and abilities. Educators will support your child's specific needs, utilising additional training, resources and educators to implement an inclusive program. We can also apply for funding to support children with additional needs in kindergarten. This funding can be used to provide staff training, purchase equipment or services, or to employ an additional assistant at the kindergarten. Applications for assistance can be done in the year prior to attendance at the kindergarten. Orientation and transition programs can be organised at the kindergarten with specialist advice sought. If you have a child that may be eligible for this assistance, please indicate this on your application form.