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Well someone asked me the other day if I had looked into Kinders for Jaykob and I was like errr its a bit soon for that?
They told me that the waiting lists in the city of casey can be quite long ( Im not in that shire ) and would possibly be longer for me...?
Now I have no idea so maybe this is correct but if i found a kinder now... and we moved what would happen lol
Anyone know? had experience with kinda enrolments?
If you have been recommended to I would, just because I have heard horror stories of being like 100+ on the list or ringing at 2 and being told they are full for 4 y.o. Kinder :shock: I think it depends on your area though, but if you are worried ring around and ask the kinders in your area what the protocol is.
Goodluck! Its scary to have to think about it so early though hey?
*hugs*
Cailin
Yikes... I still havent booked Aidyn in for 3 or 4 yr old Kinder... and he is already 1... I somehow dont like our chances too much.... I'd better get calling today then!
Wow Shannon! Thanks for all that info.. Im in Seaford so Im guessing the same rules apply.....
Im not sure if Id like him to go to 3 year old kinder ? Anyone know the benefits ? its obviouslly not compulsury?
Again, Thanks Shannon! & Cailin... And Ambah I better get looking too! lol
Colleen
I'd say the benefits are definitley there. 3 y.o. kinder is less structured than 4 y.o. Kinder. At 3 y.o. they are allowed to do whichever activity they choose, at 4 y.o. they try to encourage shared time between each activity (this obviously works better if your child has had prior experience, which is why 3 y.o. is good). 3 y.o. is shorter session times preparing them for the bigger break away from mum, whereas 4 y.o. kinder (around here anyway) is bigger blocks, or it goes for more sessions during the week.
I think Paris might have taken a while to settle next year had she gone straight to 4 y.o. Kinder, I am glad she's doing 3 y.o. as I am more confident she will be fine next year with longer sessions. And Kinder has helped her to listen to instructions, how to be clean and tidy, and how to eat nutritious foods (not that she wasn't being taught at home, but I think the added pressure helped LOL). Its also given her time to develop skills like hand eye co-ordination, drawing, mechanical skills and social skills that she might not have developed as well at home by playing even though we do try... And for the social aspect I think its valuable as they learn early how to interact with all sorts of children.
This is just my personal opinion though, and of course its completely up to you!
Goodluck!
*hugs*
Cailin
thanks again shannon & cailin!
I have to say, although a little off topic, I get answers here, faster than I do when I ring the MCHN hotline, Im always on hold for 10+ minutes, whereas here, bang! someones replied! lol its great!
Now one more question and then i'll :-# lol
Shannon how soon did you enrol for 3yr old kinder?
oh i know what you mean about the surge, so many new houses there, we have even looked at moving there to build....
Well I may give them a call and ask their opinion, they will be able to tell me if they are packed yet lol
Thanks again!!!
Colleen !
I registered Andrei for 3 y/o kinder 2007 in May 2005. This was the earliest this particular kinder would take enrollments. The 4 y/o kinder at the same place is organised by the council -- so i will need to look into that. We want him to go to Caulfield Primary Kindergarten, as he will attend Caulfield Primary School eventually.
nps kate
ragged_blossom, thanks for that info, its all abit confusing really, they need a very simple statement on a pamphlet when the baby is born that says the reccomended dates for enrolments or something lol
If only life were as simple as having everything put in front if you in plain simple english!!!
Colleen
In our area NE Melbourne it's advised that you enrol your child into both 3 and 4yo preschools as soon as they turn 2yo. The good centre's all have huge waiting lists.
Ooops, I now I am well prepared & am a planner...
But at Indah's birth I was given all the usual paperwork & forms & a Kinder enrolment form & filled it in asap, as with maddy I was told to enrol at birth...
So Indah is enrolled to both 3 & 4 yr old...
Our council won't accept enrolment forms until the child has turned 2yo. Private ELCs are different though as would be childcare centres that run kinder programs.
I enroled Wade into 3yo kinder when he was 2 years and 3 days old... but forgot to enrol him for the 4yo group! They are different systems apparently but it's still important to enrol them as soon as they turn 2. This is in the Banyule council area.
What is kinder exactly? Is it the same as pre-school? Maybe we don't have it in NSW...
Bathsheba,
ours isnt private or a childcare centre... I am in the Knox area.. Not sure if it makes a difference, but it all came with all the centrelink etc forms in the hospital...
Tegan Kinder is preschool (or so i believe!)
Tegan, Kinder is Pre-school and visa versa. Different states have the different names for it though and different programs.
I only enrolled Lindsay at 3 for his 4 y.o year before entering school and was so lucky that we don't have the waiting lists, but know that our town has become a mining town, I enrolled Erin into a full 3y.o day because preference is given to those children who have attended as a 3y.o and the waiting lists are starting to get long too.
Kinder = preschool in this thread.
I understand your confusion Tegan... in NSW the 1st year of school is called Kindergarten hey? In Victoria the first year of school is called Preparatory or "Prep" and if the child attends voluntary sessions before school then they go to "Kinder".
I grew up in NSW and went to 4 yo PreSchool then went into Kinder when I was 5yo.
My children here in Vic will go to 3 and 4 yo Kinder then into "Prep" when they turn 5yo.
ETA: Tracey: Yep, different councils have different systems as I've since learnt. It would be much easier to have things consistent hey? The only way I learnt to enrol when I did was by word of mouth at PlayGroup and that's not good enough!
It is quite confusing because, yes the start of school here is called kinder, lol.
I agree Bathsheba.... As I know with Maddy I found out at Mothers Group & luckily a friend whose second son was in same group, was 'clicky' with the council etc & she wangled Maddy's name onto the list!!!
Or else I'd have had to drive past the kinder (it's just near us) about 10 mins to get to the other one! Ridiculous hey!!!!
They should let you know when you see the MCHN the first time!!!
Some of the other mums said their MCHN told them at their child's 2yo checkup but I stopped going to mine with DS1 (because she was hopeless) so maybe that's why i didn't hear about it. I'm going to a lovely MCHN now with DS2 who told me about the different council systems... she also is requesting DS1 file too so soon I should be better informed.
It definately depends on where you live as to enrollment procedures. I am out Yarra Ranges way and am on the committee. We take enrollments from birth and have the one form so with a choice of selecting 3 or 4 year old or both. I didn't enroll #2 until just before his 2nd bday and he only just got in. We still have a waiting list for next year.
Alot of pre-schools do use a central enrollment facility usually run through the council.
It definately cant hurt to make enquiries now, nor does it hurt to put your childs name down at a few centres (unfortunately there sometimes is a registration cost), just in case you dont get a place at your #1 choice.
Good Luck.
hi, kinda new at this. just wondering i have 2 kids 2 boys and just wondering should i send my 2 1/2 year old to 3 year old kinder?? his never been in daycare at all. thanks hope to hear your replys soon.:)
Enrolments for 4 year-old Kindergarten depend on your local council. For example, the area I teach in accepts enrolments from March 1st of the year your child turns two (central enrolment forms - a system to choose up to three Kindergartens to put your name down for - are mailed to your home but are also available from MCHCs and the local council.
As for three year-old Kindergarten, I find that it tends to benefit the first child in a family more than consecutive siblings (as they learn important social/emotional skills from their big brothers or sisters!). If they have never been to childcare/daycare before, then it can be that 'extra' stimulation some children need.
Be warned that there are usually less places offered for three year-old sessions (ie, 20 instead of 25) and programs tend to fill up fast. Since 3YO Kinder isn't Govt-funded (at this point!!), not many local councils run enrolments centrally and queries should be directed to your local Kindergarten.
Good luck on your decision, Kylie. :clap: