Is 4 yo kindergarten compulsory in Victoria?

[RhiChiChi]

I have just been advised that my DD (4yo) has been accepted into the Kindergarten I applied for her to go to. Does anyone know if it is COMPULSORY to send your child to 4 yo kindergarten. I googled it & it says it is not compulsory but does not stipulate if it is for 3 yo or 4 yo kindergarten. Now I was (as well as other mums) were under the impression it is compulsory. Can anyone clarify this for me?

Thanks

[Purple Penguin]

As far as I know, neither are compulsory. I was talking about it with a friend the other day actually, I didn't know that either.

[Bern]

im in sydney but would think it would be the same? but thought they HAD to be enrolled by the year they are turning six?

[Bern]

At School 5-18 - Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

not compulsory until they six

[ubba82]

I know 3yo isn't compulsory and I'm pretty sure 4yo isn't either, however I think it is highly encouraged that they do go to 4yo.

[Olive]

sigh and its only going to get worse... kids shouldnt miss out on 4 yr old kinder its such a fantastic step before going to school.
Can you ask about 2nd round offers? now im not a CC fan but if my child missed out then i be looking into a kinder program through a CC, 4 yr old is really important.
im sorry you missed out and introducing the new 15 hour program is going to mean more kids will miss out

[Chocaholic]

No, it is not compulsory. Schooling (any form) is not compulsory until the child is 6 years old.

Some childcare centres have a kindy program. The one my boys are at have it and they include all the children in the older room so from 3 years old. They just integrate it into the day.

[RhiChiChi]

Thanks for all your responses.

Olive - DD did get a place, I am concerned that it is going to be difficult to get her into the days we need her to go (both DH & I work). She does creche on a Monday & Tuesday and swimming Thursday (which can be changed to weekend), so I only can do a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for Kindergarten and we don't find out until November. At the moment our creche' doesn't have a kindergarten program, but they are trying to get a position approved (or something like that). For ease, if they had a Kindergarten program I would just keep her in that. I totally agree that it is a great stepping stone to school, however I feel DD gets alot of benefit from going to creche and if she missed out on Kindergarten I wouldn't be to worried.

I just wish I was at home fulltime, then I wouldn't need to worry about trying to 'fit' Kindergarten in.

[Rivlas]

When you accept the positiion include a note saying you can only do XXX days as you work the other days so would not be able to bring her. Most are pretty helpful as they know many parents work.
Whatever you do accept the position and if it doesn't work out for you then you can decline but if you decline now it is really hard to get that spot back

[Mak]

In my opinion it is well worth the juggle. We have had a juggle to make it work and I know of 2 kids who do 2 out of the 3 sessions routinely as their parents work too. You never know you may find someone else in the same boat who can help out/you can help out. Good luck!

[meow]

What do you do wed to fri? If you're home then I would keep your daughter home with you. 2 days creche, even without a teacher, is enough to transitition to school and that time with you is valuable. If you're working then by all means kindergarten is awesome and gettting her in those days would be great!

[BeautifulMadness]

you dont have to send you're child to 4 yr old kinder

but as a mum of a child @ 4 yr old kinder...he just loves it its such a fantastic thing for them

im a tad confused as to not knowing what times/days it is....

cause when i filled out the form i picked the times/days

weird,