Deciding whether your child should start kindergarten when they are younger or older depends on their developmental readiness, not just their age. Children who have birthdays between 1st January and 30th April can choose whether they start kindergarten in the year they turn 3 (as the youngest children in the group) or the year they turn 4 (as the older children in the group).

At Mentone Pre School we strongly encourage you to consider your child's social, emotional and cognitive development when it comes to starting kindergarten. Their learning experience at kindergarten now forms the building blocks of their future education at primary and secondary school.

We kindly request that if you wish to start your child at kindergarten as a younger student (January to April birthdays) that you contact Mentone Pre School and organise a time to meet with our teachers to discuss your child, their development and individual learning needs.

Key points to consider when making the choice to start kindergarten can include:

• Your child's ability to follow simple instructions and routines
• Managing basic self care needs themselves (toileting, eating & putting on shoes & socks)
• The ability to sit still on the mat for 10 minutes to listen to a teacher
• Recognising their emotions on the path to self regulation
  
  Starting younger may be best for your child if they are:
• socially confident and enjoy group play
• confidently follows basic instructions and shows listening skills
• shows an interest in learning, exploring and independence
  
  Starting older may be best for your child if they are:
• Shy, sensitive or not interested in cooperative and group play
• They need to develop key skills including emotional regulation, self care needs, speech development or toileting
• They need extra time to build confidence or maturity
  
  Things to consider for your child regardless of whether they are younger or older in January to April birthdays:
  
•  Some younger children take longer to settle into a new routine or environment
• Older children may engage more deeply in learning and leadership roles
• Their age now directly impacts the age they will be when they start and finish their primary & secondary schooling
• Only one year of funded kindergarten is available for 3 year old AND 4 year old kinder before commencing school.
  
  You know your child best, we want the same outcomes as your family, for your child to thrive in their learning.
  
  You may also like to consider seeking advice from trusted early childhood professionals including: 
• Making an appointment with your child's maternal and child health nurse, family practitioner or any other speciality teams working with your child
• If your child is attending a long daycare program currently their educators will be regularly assessing their learning and development needs
  
  Due to staffing requirements, your child will not be able to start attending sessions at Mentone Pre School until after their third birthday. This may mean your child will not start until part way through term 1 or term 2.
  
  If you accept an offer for Mentone Pre School from the City of Kingston and wish to defer your place for 2026 you will automatically be offered your place again in 2027.