Early Childhood 0-8

Find a Child Care Service or Kindergarten

Child Care Service

young boy looking at pot plant

The best way to find a child care service near you is to search either:

  • Find an early childhood service or school – allows you to find a Maternal and Child Health Service, kindergarten, primary or secondary school in any suburb or postcode within Victoria
  • Children’s Services Register – this contains the name and address of every licensed children’s service in Victoria
  • MyChild’s Find a Child Care Service – this Commonwealth government website allows you to search for long day care, family day care, occasional care, in home care, before school hours care and after school hours care throughout Australia.

You could also contact your local council and ask them for information on child care and kindergartens within your area.

  • See: Find your local council – this website lists all local government authorities in Victoria and their contact details.
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Kindergarten

All families are different. In choosing a kindergarten program, you need to think of your own family circumstances and needs.

To determine if the kindergarten program is suitable, ask the following questions:

  • Are places available for the day/s and hour/s I need?
  • Does the kindergarten operate throughout the year or only during specific times like school terms?
  • Does the service offer extended care?
  • What are the fees?
  • Are there any other costs over and above the fees?
  • Is there a fee to be placed on the waiting list?

Once you have found a kindergarten program that meets your needs, you will want to visit it. 

For more information, see: Choosing the Best Child Care or Kindergarten for You

image of the 2009 kindergarten certificate

You should also go along to any information session your local child care centre may hold and ask about their kindergarten program. You will be able to tell if they offer a kindergarten program because they will prominently display a current Kindergarten Certificate [shown right] on the premises. If your local child care centre does not display this Certificate, they probably do not have a kindergarten program within the centre.

For more information, see: