Kindergarten Central Registration – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Kindergarten Central Registration is the process used to allocate places in funded three- and four-year-old sessional kindergarten programs. It helps ensure places are offered fairly, consistently and in line with State Government Priority of Access requirements.

Council manages the central kindergarten registration system for services operating in Council owned facilities. This means Council:

• Receives and processes kindergarten registrations through a centralised system
• Manages registrations for Council-owned facilities where a funded kindergarten program operates
• Allocates kindergarten places in line with the registration process and priority criteria

While Council manages the registration and allocation process, Council does not:

• Manage day-to-day operations of individual kindergarten services
• Control individual kindergarten policies, staffing, or programming
• Complete enrolment paperwork with families
• Manage ongoing communication about orientation sessions, start dates, or attendance once a place is accepted

After accepting an offer, families should contact the kindergarten service directly for all enrolment, program, and attendance-related enquiries.

Registrations are collected the year prior to when the child attends – this is the case for both three- and four-year-old kindergarten.

For children registering to attend funded three- or four-year-old sessional kindergarten in 2027.

Registrations open: 1 May 2026

On-time registrations close: 3 July 2026

Offers begin: From 23 July 2026

Yes. Families must submit a separate registration for four-year-old kindergarten.

Registering by the closing date gives your child the best possible chance of receiving an offer at one of your preferred kindergartens. Late registrations are still accepted but are placed lower in the allocation process.

Kindergarten places are allocated using a priority order set by State Government and Council. Children are offered places based on their priority level, with Level 1 being the highest priority.

In simple terms, priority is based on:

• Children with the highest needs or vulnerabilities
• Whether you live or pay rates in Frankston City
• Whether your child already attends the kindergarten or has a sibling connection
• Whether you registered on time

If there are more applications than places available after applying all priority levels, remaining places are allocated through a random computerised ballot.

Level 1 – Highest Priority

Children who meet State Government Priority of Access criteria, including:

• Children at risk of abuse or neglect (including Out-Of-Home Care)
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
• Refugee or asylum seeker children
• Children eligible for Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
• Children with additional needs (supporting documentation required)
• Children approved for a second year of funded kindergarten
• Children/families with approved exceptional circumstances

Levels 2–5 – On-time Frankston City residents/ratepayers

These levels consider:

• Whether the child is continuing from three-year-old to four-year-old kindergarten at the same service
• Whether the kindergarten is in the child’s local postcode
• Sibling connections (previous or current)

Level 6 – Late Frankston City registrations

Children who live in Frankston City but registered after the closing date.

Levels 7–9 – Non-resident children

Includes non-resident families with continuing enrolments, sibling connections, and all other non-resident applications.

Exceptional circumstances are situations that may significantly affect a family’s access to kindergarten. These registrations are assessed individually by Children’s Services management. Families are encouraged to include details of any exceptional circumstances at the time of registration, as this information helps Council assess applications appropriately during the allocation process.

Examples may include:

• Multiple births
• Parent with a disability
• Parent or child with a diagnosed mental health condition
• Homelessness
• Drug and/or alcohol misuse
• Court orders limiting kindergarten choice
• Other situations supported by a child or family support service

No. All registrations submitted by the closing date are considered ‘on-time’ and are treated the same, regardless of when they are lodged. Priority is based on the allocation criteria, not the order applications are received.

You can nominate up to three kindergartens, listed in order of preference.

Please note: nominating preferences does not guarantee an offer at any of those kindergartens, particularly in areas where demand is higher than the number of available places.

If your circumstances change (for example, a change of address, care arrangements, or family situation), please contact the Kindergarten Registration team as soon as possible so your registration can be updated. This is important to ensure your registration is updated prior to offers and the appropriate criteria is applied to your registration. 

This information is available from the Kindergarten provider. 

Each kindergarten manages tour and open days. Please contact the kindergarten to discuss.

Some registrations may require supporting documentation, such as proof of address, concession cards, or information confirming additional needs or exceptional circumstances. The registration team will contact you if further information is required.

Examples of information we may ask for to support your registration includes:

• Rates notice, utilities notice, drivers licence
• Letter from a GP, health professional or specialist 

Offers are sent by email. Please ensure your contact details are correct and check your inbox (including junk or spam folders).

Once you accept an offer, the kindergarten service will contact you directly with enrolment information, orientation details, and next steps.

If your circumstances change and you no longer require the place, please notify the Kindergarten Registration team as soon as possible so the place can be offered to another child.

If you do not receive an offer at one of your nominated preferences, the Kindergarten Registration team will:

• Email you to inform you that you have not received an offer
• it can take up to 3 weeks for families to accept or decline an offer
• a further email will be sent weekly to those on a waitlist to provide updates on their status
• At this time you may be provided with information about other kindergartens where places may be available, or
• Give you the option to remain on a waitlist for your preferred kindergarten

Yes. If you do not receive an offer at your preferred kindergarten, you may choose to join the waitlist. Offers may be made later if places become available.

If you are offered your second or third preference kindergarten you can accept the offer and still elect to wait for your first preference kindergarten in the event that a place becomes available.

If there are no places available at any of the three kindergarten preferences nominated, you will go on the waiting list and still be considered for any of your three preferences should a place become available.

The Priority of Access criteria will still apply to the allocation process. 

You can use the Department of Education’s Find a Kinder online search tool. This interactive map helps you locate Victorian Government-approved funded kindergarten programs in areas that are convenient for your family.

If you have questions or need support with your kindergarten registration, please contact the Kindergarten Registration team.

Email: Kindergarten@frankston.vic.gov.au

Phone: 1300 322 322

They can assist with understanding the process, preferences, and next steps.