It’s now free for Cardinia Shire families to register their children for 3-year-old and 4-year-old community kindergarten via the council’s registration portal.
From 9 February 2024, the $31 registration fee is no longer being charged, making kindergarten registration free for families.
Cardinia Shire Council has received additional funding from the State Government’s Administrative Support Grants to contribute to the administration cost of operating the kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES), enabling Council to now provide this service to the community free of charge.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Jack Kowarzik said the additional funding, which forms part of the State Government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms, was great news for the Cardinia community.
“The kindergarten Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme is a vital service delivered by Council that ensures fair access to funded kindergarten programs for all families,” Mayor Kowarzik said.
“The increased funding is a win for our community as it means Council will be able to continue supporting families to access funded kindergarten programs through a simple and inclusive registration process, at absolutely no cost to them.”
Mayor Kowarzik said parents could register their child for 3-year-old or 4-year-old kindergarten at any time using the council’s online kindergarten portal.
“Cardinia Shire is home to around 2,000 kinder-aged children, and we’re excited to be able to offer each of them free community kindergarten, and now free registration as well.”
To register for 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten, visit the council’s online kindergarten portal at cardinia.vic.gov.au/kindergartenregistration