When can my dd go to kinder?

My little girl was born 9th June 2008 and I'm finding it hard to work out when she can go to kinder and school.

If the cut off date is 30th April, does that mean she can't go to school until Jan 2014 when she's 5 1/2?

So, she'd go to kinder Jan 2013 at 4 1/2?

What is with 3 year old kinder - can anyone do it or is it just Aboriginal/Torres Strait kids and those 'known to child services'?

IS it easy to get a place in Yarra Ranges shire? We live in Belgrave.

Sorry for the questions, but this is really confusing!

You are correct with your dates and anyone can go to 3yr old Kinda.

Regards,
Dianne

Yep as Dianne said.
Just look up your local council and they will have info on when and how to apply for kinder, think it might vary from council to council.

Yep your dates are right. I'm in the shire of yarra ranges too and enrolled my DD for 3 year old kinder when she turned two (she's going next year). You just need to pick up an enrolment form from the kinder. Good luck!

My DD's birthday is 6th of May (2006) so she will start school at almost 5 1/2 (in 2012).

She started 3year old Kinder last year when she turned 3 and does 3year old Kinder 'again' this year as she is starting that year later at primary school IYKWIM, then 4year old Kinder next year.

The Kindegarten Directer said 3year old Kinder is about socialising, etc ... whereas 4year old gets more serious in preparing them for primary school.

To give you an idea (but keep in mind all Kinder fees vary) she last year did Kinder for 2 1/2hrs per week = for the term it was $110, whereas this year it has gone up to $144.

4year old Kinder fees$ are much more as they do more hours, for example at her Kinder it's either 10 or 15 hrs per wk.

At her Kinder if you have a concession card 4year old Kinder is for Free !!!

The cut off date for her 3year old Kinder enrolment was July last year for this year for her to attend. But Kinders do vary with cut off dates and some ' might' have a spot for your DD (??)

Hope that helps :D

Wow I didn't no it was different in other states... Here in WA if you turn 4 after the end of June you start the next year

Definitely ring the council or private kinder as they all have varied enrolment processes.
Some areas have limited 3yo places as they are not funded by the govt as well as a baby boom! DD has started this week in 3yo and she was born June 2006 - she goes for 2 x 2hr sessions a week and this is $280 a term at the council run centre.

If the cut off date is 30th April, does that mean she can't go to school until Jan 2014 when she's 5 1/2?
Yes that is correct!

So, she'd go to kinder Jan 2013 at 4 1/2?
Yep!

What is with 3 year old kinder - can anyone do it or is it just Aboriginal/Torres Strait kids and those 'known to child services'?
3yo kinder is available to all children aged 3 years and over, however for the majority of parents there is no government subsidy for it so full fees are paid. There is a government scheme that gives a grant for funding to assist the children of indigenous or low income families to attend kinder if their parents have trouble paying. Perhaps you have got your wires crossed and are confusing that with eligibility criteria.

The only stipulation I believe is that they must be fully toilet trained because the staff do not change nappies.

If can call your local council or your health nurse to get info about where the kinders are in your area. A quick visit will give you all the details you need.

HTH!

In relation to being toilet trained & going to 3 yo kinder - Raven is correct - the staff won't change nappies. (Well I have heard of some changing 'wee' ones & not 'poo' ones)

I'm not sure about your area, but since many preschools and kinders are privately run you might find different criteria. For example, my DD started at a preschool at two. Her preschool has a three year program, which starts at one day a week at two and increases a day at a time each year. So this year, she's attending three days a week, 9am-3:30pm. She turns four in March.

The preschool is private, but we receive some child care subsidy as they are registered with the relevant depts. It is not a child care centre, but it has a different way of running to many of the other preschools in our area (for eg, they do take children who are not toilet trained in the first year only, for which they have separate facilities and extra trained staff). Montessori also run preschools for two years before starting school in our area.

It's worth asking around to see what's available in your area as you might find different programs and intakes.

Thank you very much ladies for confirming that to me and for the toilet training bit - I hadn't realised that!

Looks like I need to try and get her more socialisation elsewhere in the meantime :)

Why don't you try joining a local playgroup?
check out the playgroups australia website