The Allan Labor Government is making it easier and cheaper for families in 57 council areas to secure a kindergarten place, with extra funding for local council central enrolment systems.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Melton Steve McGhie announced $5.2 million in grants to support local councils to operate Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) services for kindergarten – making it easier, faster and cheaper for families to apply for multiple services in their area.

More than 1,000 kindergartens are being supported to operate a CRES, making it free for families to apply to kindergarten.

Victorian families are also saving up to $2,500 per child when accessing Free Kinder, giving our kids the very best start in life. More than 70,000 children across Victoria are enrolled through CRES, representing more than half of all enrolments.

For the first time this year the grants include additional funding for councils in growth areas, helping them to meet increased demand on kinder services.

The CRES grants enable councils to provide registration and enrolment services at no cost to families – another way that the Labor Government is working to support Victorian families with cost-of-living challenges.

Centralised systems also allow services to identify families who may be experiencing disadvantage and proactively engage with them, with direct links to other council-run services such as maternal and child health programs.

Under the Labor Government’s nation-leading Best Start, Best Life reforms, funding for centralised kinder enrolment systems has more than quadrupled – growing from $1.6 million to $5.2 million, catering for more enrolments than ever before and making sure every child has access to early education and support.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn

 “We’re helping families access kinder enrolment for free at more than 1,000 kindergartens across the state – easing the cost-of-living pressures facing families – while making it easier for them to access the free, quality kindergarten programs they need.”

 “These grants streamline the kindergarten registration process and are a key part of our ambitious Best Start, Best Life reforms – the most significant change in Victoria’s early childhood sector in a generation.”

Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

"Families in Melton can now access free, centralised kinder enrolment – saving time, reducing costs and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life.”