Centralised Kindergarten Registration

Central Goldfields Shire Council's Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) is a central point for all families to register for three and four year old kindergarten.

CRES makes it easier for families to register and be allocated a kindergarten place with all seven local kindergartens involved.

Central Registration ensures transparent, fair and equitable allocation of all eligible children following family preferences and priority of access guidelines.

2026 Registrations open now

2027 Registration Period opens: 9am, Monday 1 June to 5pm Friday 26 June, 2026.

*Please note: the registration process is not first‑in, best‑dressed. There is no advantage to registering early in June or late in June - all applications are processed according to the Victorian Government’s priority of access guidelines.

Apply for Kindergarten

Step 1.Complete your kindergarten registration online

You will be required to nominate three kindergarten preferences as part of your application. Please try to choose kindergartens that you would be happy to accept a place at. Some children are eligible for priority allocation.

Step 2.Wait for your offer

Once you have submitted your registration, you will receive a confirmation email.

Step 3.Assessing period

After the closure of registration period, all registrations will be assessed using the priority of access criteria and allocated. You will be emailed an offer once your registration is assessed.

Step 4.Accept your offer

This offer will need to be accepted and returned - the letter of offer will detail how you need to do this. If it is not accepted the offer will expire and you may miss your spot at your preferred kindergarten.

* A waitlist will be available should you not be offered a place at your first preferred service. However, to access wait lists you must accept the current offer.

Step 5.Complete enrolment with kindergarten

When the kindergarten has received your accepted offer, they will get in touch with you direct to complete the enrolment process.

What is the central registration scheme for kindergarten?

The Central Registration process ensures all children wanting to enrol in a kindergarten program are allocated a place in one of our seven kindergartens across the Shire.

This allocation is subject to family preferences and a priority of access criteria to ensure an equitable process.

The Central Goldfields Shire Central Registration Policy and Procedure Document can be accessed here.

Key Dates

2026 Kindergarten Registration

Families can register for their child and be allocated for the remainder of the year

2027 Kindergarten Registration

Registration Period - Monday 1st June to Friday 26th June, 2026

Allocations - from Monday 27th July, 2026

Registrations received after the close of registration period will be processed after the initial allocation

2027 Kindergarten Sessions

2027 Kindergarten Session Times

(may be subject to change)

3 Year Old Kindergarten - 15 hours per week

4 Year Old Kindergarten - 20 hours per week

Pre Prep Eligible children - 20 to 25 hours per week (depending on kindergarten program)

A.G. LEECH KINDERGARTEN

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
4 YO	4 YO	4 YO	3 YO	3 YO
8.30am - 4.00pm	8.30am - 4.00pm	8.30am - 1.30pm	8.30am - 4.00pm	8.30am-4.00pm

CALIFORNIAN GULLY KINDERGARTEN

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Gumnuts - 4YO	Gumnuts - 4YO	Gumnuts - 4YO	Wattle - 3YO	Wattle - 3YO
8.30am - 4.00pm	8.30am - 4.00pm	8.30am - 1.30pm	8.30am - 4.00pm	8.30am-4.00pm

DUNOLLY KINDERGARTEN

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Integrated 3 & 4 YO	Integrated 3 & 4 YO	Integrated 3 & 4 YO	4 YO Group
9.00am - 2.00pm	9.00am - 2.00pm	9.00am - 2.00pm	9.00am - 2.00pm

GOLDFIELDS CHILDREN'S CENTRE

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
4 YO	4 YO	4 YO	4 YO	4 YO
6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am-6.00pm
3 YO	3 YO	3 YO	3 YO	3 YO
6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am-6.00pm

*Long day care kindergarten setting, fees may apply

**Children are required to attend a minimum of 3 days per week

ROSEBERRY HOUSE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
4 YO	4 YO	4 YO	4 YO	4 YO
6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am-6.00pm
3 YO	3 YO	3 YO	3 YO	3 YO
6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am - 6.00pm	6.30am-6.00pm

*Long day care kindergarten setting, fees may apply

**Children are required to attend a minimum of 3 days per week

TALBOT KINDERGARTEN

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Integrated 3 & 4 YO	Integrated 3 & 4 YO	Integrated 3 & 4 YO	Integrated 3 & 4 YO
9.00am - 2.00pm	9.00am - 2.00pm	9.00am - 2.00pm	9.00am - 2.00pm

T.L. STONE KINDERGARTEN

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Koala - 4YO	Koala - 4YO		Koala - 4YO
8.15am - 3.45pm	8.15am - 3.45pm		8.15am - 3.45pm
	Wombat - 4YO		Wombat - 4YO	Wombat - 4YO
	8.15am - 3.45pm		8.15am - 3.45pm	8.15am-3.45pm
Echidna - 4 YO	Echidna - 4 YO			Echidna - 4 YO
8.15am - 3.45pm	8.15am - 3.45pm			8.15am-3.45pm
Kangaroos - 4 YO			Kangaroos - 4 YO	Kangaroos-4YO
8.15am - 3.45pm			8.15am - 3.45pm	8.15am-3.45pm
Emu - 3YO	Emu - 3YO		Kookaburra - 3YO	Kookaburra - 3YO
8.15am - 3.45pm	8.15am - 3.45pm		8.15am - 3.45pm	8.15am - 3.45pm

*4-year-old groups will need to permanently select one of their days to be a 1.15pm finish

About kindergarten

Kindergarten (sometimes called ‘state funded kindergarten’ or ‘preschool’) is two years of early education for children in the years before they start primary school.

Kindergarten gives your child important opportunities to learn, make friends and develop skills through a play-based curriculum, and helps prepare your child for their transition to primary school.

Kindergarten programs are developed and delivered by qualified degree qualified teachers in accordance with the National Early Years Learning Framework, Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework; they must abide by the National Education and Care Law and Regulations.

In our Shire we have five standalone kindergartens that offer specific sessions, times and days.

We also have two centres that provide kindergarten as part of their long day care service - this means children can access kindergarten in a long day care setting. This option also includes meals and fees may apply.

When to start kindergarten

If your child was:	Year eligible for 3 year old	Year eligible for 4 year old	Year eligible to attend school
Born before 30 April 2022	2025	2026	2027
Born before 30 April 2023	2026	2027	2028
Born before 30 April 2024	2027	2028	2029

Information for enrolment

When enrolling your child at kindergarten you will be required to show the following documents.

your child’s birth certificate or other identity documents
your child's medical health and immunisation status
details of any parenting orders or legal matters to do with the care or safety of your child. The kindergarten must keep your information private.

*** Please note the above documents are not required to complete the Central Kinder Registration process. They are only required when enrolling direct with your kindergarten.

What does it cost?

The Victorian State Government subsidises places for eligible children to attend two years of kindergarten. For more information, visit www.education.vic.gov.au

Some Kindergarten Providers offer their kindergarten program as part of a long day care place and charge a daily rate. If your child attends kindergarten in one of these programs, you might be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). You can contact your preferred kindergarten for more information on fees or visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/childcare for further information on CCS eligibility.

Priority of Access

Priority of Access is applied to all registrations through the CRES process to ensure equity and that kindergarten is made accessible for all children.

Department of Education Priority of Access

PRIORITY TIERS	ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA
Tier 1	Children at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in out-of-home care (OoHC)
	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children
	Asylum seeker and refugee children
	Children and/or families holding concession cards
	Children from families with multiple births (triplets and above
	Children and/or families with additional needs who require additional assistance to fully participate in the kindergarten program
	Children accessing an additional year of Three-and-Four-Year-Old Kindergarten or Pre-Prep
Tier 2	Children currently attending the service

Locally Agreed Priority of Access

LOCALLY AGREED CRITERIA (LAC)	ELIGIBLITY FOR LAC
Families with an existing link to the services	The child is already attending the services Currently attends for long day care Currently enrolled in their three-year-old kindergarten program
Families with an existing link to the services	The child has a sibling who is enrolled and attending the service
Residential proximity to the service	Children who reside within 500m distance of the service
Residential proximity to the service	Children who are cared for within 500m distance of the service
Criteria related to the residential address of the family or carers	Children who live in the municipality
	Children whose families are in the process of moving to the municipality
	Children who are cared for in the municipality
	Children who are likely to attend school in the municipality
Criteria for non-resident families	The child’s parent/carers is working within the municipality
	The child’s parent/carers is studying for volunteering with the municipality
	The child attends a childcare service in the municipality
	The child has sibling(s) attending a school or another service within the same neighbourhood as the service

Need help?

If you need support to complete the registration process please make contact with us:

Email: Central.Registrations@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

Phone: 0460 816 540

In person: we can arrange to meet with you by appointment.

Frequently asked questions?

How do I choose the right kindergarten?

The kindergarten that is closest to your residence is usually the best option. This ensures that the child builds a good community connection and will likely know children when transitioning into primary school. However regardless of proximity, kindergarten is a personal choice based on what each kindergarten offers within their program room and outside in the play area. It is recommended that you visit kindergartens assist you in deciding which would be more suitable for your child.

What's the difference between session kinder and long day care kinder?

In our Shire we have five standalone kindergartens that offer specific sessions times and days.

When does kindergarten start?

Kindergarten starts the same week as school terms. If there is any changes your kindergarten will notify you. You will be advised of your days and times by your kindergarten or cluster manager. Any questions around your program should be directed to them.

What if my circumstances change?

Changes after the closing date are subject to availability of places. If your circumstances change after you have accepted an offer, you will need to contact the Kindergarten Central Registration Officer to be advised of vacancies in your new preferred kindergarten and to explain the process. Email: centralregistrations@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

I have been allocated my first preference - what now?

If you have received an offer and choose to accept it, you will secure a place and be contacted by the kindergarten or early years manager to complete enrolment details. You will be provided with program information to complete and return to the kindergarten. All communication will now be with your kindergarten. For any information regarding timetables or group information please refer directly to your kindergarten’s website.

If you decline your place, your kindergarten registration will become inactive. However, if your circumstances change contact us on 0460 816 540.

Can I register more than one child?

Yes. But you need to complete a separate application for each of your children.

Open Days for 2027 Children

KINDERGARTEN	DATE	TIME
T.L. Stone Kindergarten	Monday 11th May, 2026	3.00pm - 4.30pm
Dunolly Kindergarten	Tuesday 19th May, 2026	2.30pm - 4.30pm
A.G. Leech Kindergarten	Friday 22nd May, 2026	2.30pm - 4.00pm
Goldfields Children's Centre	Saturday 23rd May, 2026	10.00am - 12.00pm
Talbot Kindergarten	Wednesday 27th May, 2026	3.00pm - 4.30pm
Californian Gully Kindergarten	Thursday 28th May, 2026	2.30pm - 4.30pm
Roseberry House Early Learning Centre	Saturday 30th May, 2026	10.00am - 12.00pm

Choosing A Kinder

Information about our seven local kindergartens can be found on their individual web pages. Click below to see their session days and times, and contact details. If you have missed the open day, contact the kinder directly to make an appointment.

AG Leech - Maryborough >

Californian Gully - Maryborough >

Dunolly Kindergarten >

Talbot Kindergarten >

TL Stone - Maryborough >

Goldfields Family Centre - Maryborough >

Roseberry House - Maryborough >