Pre-Prep (Four-Year-Old Kindergarten)

Pre-Prep is a funded, teacher-led four year old kindergarten program. It builds on the existing kindergarten model, increasing funded hours from 15 to 20 hours per week.

Pre-Prep is delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers using the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), supporting children’s learning, wellbeing, and school readiness.

Standalone or Sessional

Delivered on set days and times during school terms.

Integrated or Long Day Care Services

Combines a full day of education and care with a structured kindergarten program. Available year-round, including school holidays.

Wangaratta Children’s Services Centre

From 2026, the Integrated Kindergarten Program at Wangaratta Children’s Services Centre will offer the full 20 hours of funded Pre-Prep. Families can book up to five days per week, including school holidays, combining the benefits of Long Day Care with the structured Pre-Prep curriculum.

Pre-prep is available to all families, regardless of:

• Health Care Card or Pension Card status
• Australian citizenship or residency
• Eligibility for Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

You can only claim Pre-Prep funding at one kindergarten service at a time.

Priority Cohorts

While Pre-Prep is universal, services are encouraged to prioritise access for children who may benefit most with additional funded hours available, including:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• Children from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds
• Children experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage
• Children with disability or developmental delay

Pre-Prep is funded for up to 20 hours per week.

Families using integrated long day care services will receive a fee offset for the hours covered by the Pre-Prep program. Additional hours outside the funded program may incur standard service fees.

To enrol your child in Pre-Prep, contact your preferred kindergarten or Long Day Care service in Wangaratta. Participating services will be listed on the Victorian Government website closer to the rollout date.

Visit the Victorian Government’s Kinder: Best Start, Best Life website for more information: Kinder: Best Start, Best Life | vic.gov.au

Or email: EYL@wangaratta.vic.gov.au