Second Year ATTENDANCE FOR 3 Year Old Kindergarten Program
With the introduction of state funded 3 Year Old pre-school in 2022 there is no longer provision for children to repeat 3 Year Old pre-school, they will move to 4 Year Old pre-school ONLY.
Second Year Attendance for 4 Year Old Kindergarten Program
The Department of Education and Training (DET) provides funding to support children to access a four year old kindergarten program in the year before they start school. When considering whether a second year of funded four year old kindergarten will benefit a child, the early childhood teacher and parent must ensure that the child meets the eligibility criteria for a second year. In most cases it is appropriate for a child to transition to school after their kindergarten year. Schools are responsible for ensuring all students have access to a quality education that meets their diverse needs and are obligated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to make adjustments to accommodate students with a disability.
In exceptional circumstances where a child is observed to display delays in key outcome areas of learning and development, the possibility of a second year of funded four year old kindergarten may be considered. However, a second year should only be considered where the kindergarten program is deemed to be the most appropriate learning program and environment for that individual child, and that the child will achieve better outcomes at kindergarten than if they go to school.
Careful consideration should be given to this decision as in many cases, school can be the most appropriate environment for a child with identified delays or disabilities for a number of reasons including:
- increased contact time in an educational environment
- strong peer/friendship group support
- access to additional support, equipment or specialist staff.
Eligibility Determining eligibility for a second year of funded kindergarten
The early childhood teacher is responsible for determining a child’s eligibility to receive a second year of funded kindergarten. The assessment for determining eligibility should factor in ongoing observations over the time they have spent with the child, any formal assessments undertaken, which can be supported by Pre School Field Officers and tools such as Early Abilities Based Learning and Education Support and consultation with the child’s parents.
Eligibility criteria
The early childhood teacher can declare that a child is eligible to receive a second year of funded four year old kindergarten if the child is observed as having delays in at least two outcome areas of learning and development detailed in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework; AND there is evidence to suggest the child will achieve better outcomes if they attends a second year of four year old kindergarten to strengthen the learning and development of skills in these areas and better facilitate transition to school the following year.
To declare that a child is eligible to receive a second year of funded four year old kindergarten, the early childhood teacher must have observed a delay in at least two of the following five outcome areas as identified in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework:
- identity (emotional development)
- community (social development)
- wellbeing (self care)
- learning (cognitive development)
- communication (receptive/expressive language)
For more information, please speak to one of our teachers, call 5975 2472 or refer to the DET website at https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/child-care-kindergarten/Pages/kindergarten-second-year.aspx