Enrolling your child
at Lilian Cannam Kindergarten
Lilian Cannam Kindergarten’s waitlist operates separately to the City of Port Phillip (Council) Children’s Services Integrated Registration and Enrolment (CSIRE), therefore applications to attend our programs must be made directly to us, through this website using the online form.
We recommend that you also submit applications to other kindergartens, through the City of Port Phillip website, or direct to kindergartens, where applicable, to increase the likelihood of your child being offered a place in the year you require.
All enquiries regarding applications should be directed to the Lilian Cannam Kindergarten Enrolment Officer. Our preferred contact method is via email, please select ‘contact us’, however, should you wish to leave a phone message our Enrolment Officer will respond within 3 business days.
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What is a kindergarten program?
Kindergarten is an educational program and that differs from childcare. Kindergarten delivers high-quality programs designed to help children begin their learning journey and set them up for success once they begin primary school. Through play-based learning, kindergarten programs help children to cultivate a love of learning, make friends and develop useful life skills. All kindergarten programs are delivered by a university-qualified early childhood teacher.
Starting age and readiness
To set children up for success, give them the best start by considering when your child is likely to gain the most benefit from starting school, as this will help you determine when your child's kindergarten experience should commence. Your child must be at school in the year that they turn six years of age, this is the compulsory school starting age.
The following information is provided to support families in making the decision of when to enrol their child in the three-year-old program.
Children enrolling for a three-year-old program must turn three by the 30 April of the year they attend. Similarly, children enrolling for a four-year-old program must turn four by the 30 April of the year they attend.
Families with children born between January and April can choose which year to start three-year old kindergarten. These children can start in the same year they turn three, or in the year they turn four years of age.
Due to staff ratios in community kindergartens, children can only start attending after their third birthday. This means that some children may not start until part-way into Term 1 or at the beginning of Term 2. They will therefore have less time overall as part of the 3-year-old kindergarten program in comparison to their peers.
Although every child's development is unique, observation and research suggest that children who turn three between January and April can benefit significantly from waiting a year and starting 3-year-old kindergarten the year they turn four. Waiting to start, also ensures children can gain maximum benefit and enjoyment from both three and four-year-old kindergarten programs, and commence school with a later entry age, supporting the child to thrive and flourish, socially and emotionally.
Anecdotal evidence from educators at LCK and the surrounding area indicates that children in this age-group cohort, enrolled in the year they turn three, have been those most likely to request a repeat. Once a child starts 3-year-old kindergarten, their education journey has commenced with an expectation of moving into 4-year-old kindergarten the following year and then school the year after. Please note, a child cannot repeat a three-year-old year. Both three and four-year-old kindergarten programs are funded by the State Government and therefore subject to funding conditions.
To help you make an informed decision about your child's readiness you can;-
Contact our kindergarten via enrolments@liliancannam.com.au to speak with our Enrolment Officer, Director or Educational Leader
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Talk to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse
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Refer to Developmental Milestones
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When to apply
Children can be placed on our waitlist any time from the start of February, 2 years prior to commencement of the 3-year-old kindergarten program.
Your child must be three years of age by 30 April in the year in which you would like them to start the 3-year-old kindergarten program. Likewise, to be eligible to attend four year old kindergarten your child must be four years of age by 30 April in the year of attendance in the 4-year-old program.
Families with children born between January and April can choose which year to start 3-year-old kindergarten. These children can start in the same year they turn three, or in the year they turn four years of age.
How to apply
1
To join our waitlist, select ‘Enrol Now’, complete the registration form, and pay $50 non-refundable administration fee to place your child on our waitlist.
2
You will receive a system generated email to advise of receipt of the $50 payment and confirmation that your child is now waitlisted. Please note, the waitlist does not guarantee your child a position.
3
Once on the waitlist it is your responsibility to keep your contact information current. Please advise any changes via email.
Book a tour
Tours operate once a month on the first Wednesday of the month at 10am.
Please contact us if you require a private tour on an alternative date.
Additional Enrolment Information
If you are on our waitlist, we will contact you in May/June of the year prior to your child commencing kindergarten. You will receive email correspondence requesting to validate/update your child’s preferences for the following year. You will also have the option to remove your child from our waitlist if your circumstances have changed.
First round offers will be sent in June/July of the year prior to your child commencing kindergarten. If your child is offered a place you will be given a timeframe within which to accept the offer and secure your child’s place by paying a $250 refundable on commencement deposit. The offer process will then continue until all places are filled.
Offers are made based upon eligibility and selection criteria, that are defined by the Department of Education Priority of Access for Early Childhood Education criteria and the Lilian Cannam Kindergarten Enrolment Policy.
A repeat year of four-year-old kindergarten is not guaranteed. More commonly referred to as a 'second funded year,' this occurs where a child is assessed by the teacher or another early childhood professional as having delayed development identified in two or more areas and has been approved as eligible for a second year of funded kindergarten by the Department of Education. Note that a 'second funded year' is not applicable to 3-year-old kindergarten.
Children born between January and April that are deemed ‘young’ will not be automatically granted funding for a second funded year. All children need to be assessed as having at least two areas of developmental delay that are not age related. Where a child is not approved as eligible for a second funded year, the expectation is that the child will progress to primary school the following year.
Please indicate on our waitlist application form ‘apply now’ if your child has additional needs as this allows our kindergarten to plan accordingly for your child.
Children with additional needs are those whose development, in one or more of the following areas, needs specialist support – mobility, expressive and/or receptive communication, social behaviour, behavioural control, fine/gross motor skills, vision, hearing, self-care and cognitive skills.
Following acceptance of a place at Lilian Cannam Kindergarten please provide the kindergarten with as much information as possible regarding your child’s needs. This information enables the kindergarten to make additional arrangements if required.