• Wodonga Council
    •
  • City Heart
    •
    ...
    Wodonga Council
    Frequently asked questions

    Page URL: https://www.wodonga.vic.gov.au/Services/Our-People/Children/Kindergarten/Frequently-asked-questions

    Frequently asked questions

     /  ServicesOur PeopleChildrenKindergartenFrequently asked questions

    Have a few questions in relation to enroling your child in kindergarten?


    Take a look at some of our most frequently asked questions below.

     

    2026 fees

    From July 1, 2025, any applications submitted will incur a $40 administration fee. 

    As the council begins to roll out the Best Start, Best Life reform, children accessing the four-year-old kindergarten program from 2026 will access 20 hours of funded kindergarten. The additional 2.5 hours are not funded by the Department of Education and will incur a $400 term fee  unless the child meets the priority cohort. 

    Child Care Subsidy does not apply to this fee. 

    I've submitted my child’s application, what happens next?

    Once you have submitted an application, you will be emailed an acknowledgement that your application has been received. If you do not receive this email, please contact our team to check if your application has been received. 

    This is not a confirmation of a place at a council-run kindergarten.

    Please ensure you share with the Early Years team all documentation and information relating to your child in your application form to support their kindergarten transition, including but not limited to

    • Medical diagnosis reports;
    • Court orders;
    • Specialist assessment reports (eg. speech or OT assessments, paediatrician reports);
    • NDIS plans; 
    • Medical management plans;
    • Dietary requirements;
    • Your child's typical routine; and,
    • Cultural celebrations.

    If you can, please submit these documents in the first instance by uploading them to your child's application form. If you receive any relevant documents after the application form has been submitted, please email them to kinder@wodonga.vic.gov.au. This will ensure we are prepared to support your child if they are offered a kindergarten position.

    What is “priority of access” and how is it applied?

    Places will be allocated in the first instance for children who meet the criteria as set out by the Department of Education. 

    Can I give a preferred centre?

    Due to high demand of places, families will be allocated a position within a service that has available places. Providing families with the option to put a preferred service displaces a large number of families.

    Wodonga Council is committed to proving high-quality education and care for all children at all its kindergartens. There are internal and external monitoring processes to ensure the highest quality is being provided.

    My child did not get a spot, what do I do?

    If your child does not receive a kindergarten position in first round allocations, they will be placed on our wait list and allocated a position when one becomes available. First round allocations will sent out in September.

    Families are encouraged to use the Find my Kinder link to look to what kindergarten programs are available in Wodonga.

    What does my child need to bring to Kinder?
    • A bag
    • A sunhat – all year round. Sun hats are always worn during terms one and four. Staff will ensure children wear sunhats during terms two and three when the UV Index is above three.
    • A change of clothes
    • Warm clothing (when appropriate)
    • A bottle of water
    • A packed lunch and afternoon tea
    • Nappies will need to be provided if required for your child

    Morning tea including fruit, milk, cheese, crackers and water is provided by the kindergarten.

    It is recommended that children wear sneakers, runners or well-fitted sandals.

    Thongs and crocs are not appropriate or safe for children to wear during active play.

    Will my child get a better education and be provided with a better school readiness program at a council-run kindergarten than at a long day care centre?

    All early years education and care settings follow a National Quality Framework and National Quality Standards. Services are assessed and provided with a quality rating against these standards. You can ask your service about their quality rating.

    For a kindergarten program to be offered at any service it must be led by a Bachelor-qualified teacher and, therefore, required to provide the same level of education.

    Kindergarten programs are developed from a play-based learning curriculum, centered around individual learning plans. Play is essential to stimulate and incorporate a wide range of intellectual, physical, social and creative abilities.

    Through play our children are developing the foundations of future academic concepts. Find a kindergarten in Wodonga here.

    Can my child attend kindergarten if they are not immunised?

    Children’s immunisations must be up-to-date to attend kindergarten. Visit No Jab No Play for early childhood education and care services | health.vic.gov.au

    Under the No Jab, No Play law, kindergartens must get an immunisation statement from families showing their child:

    • Is fully vaccinated for their age, or
    • Is on a recognised catch up schedule if they are behind their vaccinations, or
    • Has a medical reason not to be vaccinated.

    If your child’s immunisation record is not up to date, your child cannot attend kindergarten.

    You will be asked to submit your child’s Immunisation History Statement as proof that they are vaccinated.

    You will also be asked to submit an updated statement after they receive their four-year-old immunisation. This statement is available for download through your Medicare online account, myGov or Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

    Please submit any updates to your child's immunisation record to kinder@wodonga.vic.gov.au