So I am from the UK, have read various things on the web but overall a little confused about how primary school works here. DD was born 31st May 2009 - now it seems to me due to the cut off being 30 April in Victoria that means than she will not start school (Prep) until Jan 2015 (so she will be 5 years 7 months) and 4 year old kinder Jan 2014 (4 years 7 months).

(I was quite shocked when I found this out as I was 4 years 2 months when I started school (full time 9-3:30 5 days a week) and adored school so this seems so old to me).

So is the questions-

Do these dates look correct?
Is 4 year old kinder full time? If not how does it fit in with childcare etc e.g. if I need to back at work full time 9:00 till say 16:00 every day?
So there is also 3 year old kinder which is optional is that correct?
It seems that childcare centers also run kinder programs are there disadvantages to these?
If I have to be back at work full time from when DD is four for example - what is the best way to manage it (no family here to look after DD)?
Are there other options to consider (e.g. do any schools take children early for full days - if DD was ready)


I have ages to think about it - but my plan was for the four of us (bump due arrive in July) to stay in this little 2 bed flat until DD started school - but have just found out school starts much later than I anticipated!!