Frequently Asked Questions

Every kindergarten program at Cire is led by a university-trained, Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. This ensures that every child in a Cire Melbourne kindergarten program receives an education that aligns with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).

Yes, Cire is well-known for its Bush Kinder program. This experience takes the Melbourne kindergarten curriculum outdoors, allowing children to learn in local bushland settings. They explore nature, build resilience and develop problem-solving skills in an open-ended, natural environment.

Cire provides high-quality Melbourne kindergarten options across several locations to support local families. You can access sessional programs at Chirnside Park and Pakenham (Hollins Children’s Centre), or integrated programs at our Croydon, Lilydale, Mt Evelyn and Yarra Junction centres.

No, kindergarten is not compulsory. However, it is strongly recommended because it helps children develop the social, emotional and cognitive skills needed for school. Most families find that attending two years of a quality Melbourne kindergarten program creates a much smoother transition to primary school.

Under the Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Victorian Government provides funding to make kindergarten free or low-cost. In sessional programs, this typically covers 15 hours of care per week.

In integrated settings, a “Free Kinder” subsidy is applied to your account, reducing your out-of-pocket costs for the Melbourne kindergarten program.

Sessional kindergarten is a standalone program that usually runs for 15 hours a week during school terms.

Integrated kindergarten is provided within a long day care setting, offering the same teacher-led curriculum but with the flexibility of longer care hours and year-round operation.

Both options are popular choices for a Melbourne kindergarten experience.

In Victoria, your child must turn three by 30 April to be eligible for a 3-year-old kindergarten program. Similarly, they must be four by 30 April to start a 4-year-old program. If their birthday is in the first few months of the year, families can choose whether to start that year or wait until the following year.

Children completing their three or four-year-old funded kindergarten program in Long Day Care will receive a subsidised childcare amount. This subsidy will be deducted from their fees in weekly installments throughout the year.

We ask you to bring the following:

• A soft toy or comfort blanket for sleep time
• Two changes of clothes.
• Drink bottle
• Infant formula

Our long day care services are open 50 weeks of the year, closing only over the Christmas/New Year period.
Our Sessional Kindergarten services are aligned with school terms, operating approximately 40 weeks of the year.

Absolutely, all our kindergarten teachers have a Bachelor of Education.

For 3-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn 3 years by 30th April in the year they are attending.

For 4-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn 4 years old by 30th April in the year they are attending.

We recommend you speak to your maternal and child health nurse about your child’s development.