City takes back control of kinder enrolments

PARENTS and carers will be required to enrol their children for three and four-year-old kindergarten programs through the City of Greater Bendigo as of this year.

As a result the City will manage enrolments for 25 standalone kinders across Greater Bendigo and approximately 30 long-daycare kinder programs.

There will be a total of 1756 places available in standalone kindergartens with 256 free sessions to be delivered (in Victoria all three and four-year-old children have been eligible to receive funded kinder since 2023).

City community and environmental health manager Sue Harrison said council officers will undertake full responsibility for the Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme for local kindergarten programs from this month.

“The service (was) provided by Loddon Mallee Preschool Association (LMPA) under a contract with the City,” she said.

“This contract (has ended) and the City has decided to bring enrolments back in-house.

“By (doing so), (we’ll) be able to better support local families and providers and use data to plan for future needs.

“The transition will also strengthen the City’s role in supporting early years development and other programs.

“The City acknowledges and thanks LMPA for their significant contribution in delivering this important service to families across Greater Bendigo for many years.”

Enrolments will be accepted from later this month via the CoGB website.

For more information, email [email protected] or, alternatively, phone 5434 6352.

Find a kinder program near you at on the Victorian Government’s website.