FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is my child eligible to commence a 3 year old kindergarten program?

Please note, children enrolled in a funded 3 year old kinder program must turn 3 before or on the 30th April in the year they commence 3 year old kinder. Children born between February and April have the choice to enrol as per the table above or to hold back and start the following year.

Children who turn 3 years old between the commencement of Term 1 and 30th April will be allocated a place but cannot attend until they turn 3 years old. This is to ensure that Renown is meeting the regulations, mandated by the Department of Education.

Children who start part way through Term 1 due to their date of birth, will be invoiced pro-rata of attendance for term 1.

Children who are unable to attend Term 1 due to their date of birth, will be required to pay 50% term 1 fees to secure their spot. This will be deducted from their term 2 fees.

When is my child eligible to commence 4 Year Old kindergarten?

Please note, children enrolled in a funded place in the 4 year old kinder program must turn 4 before or on the 30th April in the year they commence 4 year old kinder.

Priority of enrolment at Renown Kindergarten

To allocate places fairly Renown Kindergarten follows the guidelines listed below:

1) High priority children - children at risk of abuse or neglect including children in Out-of-Home Care, children who are identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, children with additional needs who require additional assistance to participate in kindergarten, require a combination of services which are individually planned and/or have an identified specific disability or developmental delay, asylum seeker and refugee children and children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy.

2. Children currently enrolled at Renown:

a. Students moving from 3-year-old to the 4-year-old programs.

b. Secon year students: students who have been granted a second year of 4-year-old kindergarten.

3. Children who were eligible to attend the previous year and for whom an application form was submitted but either deferred or withdrew from the service before the last day of term one.

4. Siblings of children who have attended Renown Kindergarten.

5. Children who reside in the City of Stonnington.

6. Children who reside elsewhere who have been verified as high priority children.

7. All other non-residents of the City of Stonnington.

The determining factor, when there are too many applicants of comparable priority, will be the date of reception of "Application for Enrolment" form and the non-refundable application fee. In all circumstances, this form must be submitted within an appropriate period of time in order to be placed on the relevant waitlist.

What funding can I access at Renown Kindergarten?

The Victorian Government provides funding directly to kindergartens and long day care services to deliver high quality kindergarten programs in the two years before school. Children in Victoria can access one funded year in a 3 year old kindergarten program (between 5 and 15 hours per week) and one year in a 4 year old kindergarten program (15 hours per week). This is available to all Victorian children regardless of their visa status.

Children can only access one funded kindergarten program at a time. If your child attends Renown Kindergarten and another service, you will have to determine which service receive your funding.

The fees at Renown Kindergarten are calculated based on the 15 hours of government funding being taken here. Renown Kindergarten will charge you the gap fee should you decide to take the funding elsewhere.

Renown Kindergarten is not part of the Free Kindergarten Initiative.

Renown Kindergarten does not offer Child Care Subsidy.

Who attends the French Bilingual Program at Renown Kindergarten?

The Coccinelles program follows both the Victorian and French curriculum and is delivered by an Australian qualified teacher and by a French qualified teacher. They are supported by a trilingual educator.

We have French families who have arrived in Melbourne and want their child to learn English without being completely disconnected from their own language, bilingual families with one parent speaking French at home who wish to extend their child's sense of belonging to the language and culture, and Australian families who might be moving aboard and want their child to learn French before then, or families who are committed to their child attending a French speaking primary school in Melbourne.

What days do the different programs operate?

All timetables and fees information are available here

Do not hesitate to get in touch via email enrolments@renown.org.au or give us a call on 039 827 4747. We are a friendly bunch and are always happy to help you make the right decision for your child.