Our Programs

After careful consideration and extensive evaluation, we have made the difficult choice to opt out of the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder Program in 2025.

Your initial deposit will be credited against Term 1 fees.
Fees charged are inclusive of incursions, excursions, and enrichment activities provided by specialists such as dance.

Government Funding

Our 3-year-old and 4-year-old programs are partially funded (up to 15 hours) by the Victorian Government. However, this funding does not cover the overall running costs of the kindergarten. To ensure our programs remain viable, fees are charged to cover the shortfall.

Please note: We are a not-for-profit organisation, and all funds are invested into the kindergarten and the running of our programs.

Applications for 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten open at 8am, 1st March the year prior to start via our online form. Applications close on 1st May and offers will be made shortly after. Waitlist applications will continue to be accepted thereafter.

Applications can still be made online after the closing date however it is important to note that these applications will be placed on the waitlist with priority given to those who apply within the application time frame. Please see below for further information regarding our waitlist.

Applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable $60 application fee (payable through the online form or via bank transfer), birth Certificate copy and proof of address. Upon receipt of the application, we will provide you with an email acknowledgement.

3-year-old program

To enrol into 3-year-old kindergarten at Malvern Memorial Kindergarten (MMK) your child must be three years of age by April 30th in the year of attendance. Children turning three after the beginning of the kindergarten year are permitted to commence kindergarten on or after their 3rd birthday with each place held until the child starts at MMK. Fees are charged pro rata from the kindergarten commencement date

4-year-old program

4-year-old kindergarten is partially funded by the State Government and every child is entitled to one year of 4-year-old kindergarten. To attend 4-year-old kindergarten at Malvern Memorial your child must be four years of age by 30th April in the year of attendance.

Please be aware that children turning four between January and April that are deemed ‘young’ will not be automatically granted funding for a second year of 4-year-old kindergarten. All children need to be assessed as having at least two areas of developmental delay that are not age related in order to receive funding for a second year of 4-year-old kindergarten.

Please note, the government’s ‘No Jab, No Pay’ law requires all children to be age appropriately immunised before enrolment can be confirmed. Further information is available through www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/no-jab-no-play

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places, enrolment priority will be given in the following order.

3 year old program

1. Children whose siblings are past or present students of Malvern Memorial Kindergarten. If a sibling has attended Malvern Memorial Kindergarten for one full kindergarten term or more, they are eligible to apply under the sibling criteria.

2. Children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy (Health Care Card Holder) who live within the zoned area.

3. Zoned Area & Date of Application.
   Families who have applied for a 3-year-old group kindergarten place within the application period (1st March – 1st May) in the year prior to commencement, and who live or work within in the zoned area will be offered a place based on the time and date of their application. In the event multiple applications are received with the same time and date stamp, geographic proximity will determine application ranking. The committee will consider applications outside the zoned area if vacancies remain.

4 year old program

1. Children who have attended Malvern Memorial Kindergarten 3-year-old group or children who have received funding for a second year of Kindergarten at Malvern Memorial Kindergarten.

2. Children whose siblings are past or present students of Malvern Memorial Kindergarten. If a sibling has attended Malvern Memorial Kindergarten for one full kindergarten term or more, they are eligible to apply under the sibling criteria.

3. Children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy (Health Care Card Holder) who live within the zoned area.

4. Zoned Area & Date of Application.
   Families who have applied for a 4 year old group kindergarten place within the application period (1st March – 1st May) in the year prior to commencement, and who live or work within in the zoned area will be offered a place based on the time and date of their application. In the event multiple applications are received with the same time and date stamp, geographic proximity will determine application ranking. The committee will consider applications outside the zoned area if vacancies remain.

Should you be unsuccessful in gaining a place at Malvern Memorial Kindergarten you will receive an email offering you an opportunity to be added to a waiting list.

Preference will be given to families who have applied for a 3-year-old or 4-year-old group kindergarten place within the application period (1st March – 1st May). These applications will be placed on the waitlist in accordance with the above criteria. Late applications will be added to the waitlist in order of date of application.

The enrolment officer will send out offers to families with children on the waitlist list as places become available.

Important Dates:

1 March – Enrolments open for the following year.
1 May – The enrolment period for the following year closes. Waitlisted applications will continue to be accepted.
26 May – 3-year-old and 4-year-old offers made by this date.
2 June – Acceptances due by 5pm, offers forfeited if not received by this date.
9 June – 2nd round offers for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds made by this date.

Once you receive your offer, you will need to accept via email and pay a deposit of $400 within the above timeframe. This deposit will be offset against your child’s term 1 fees.

An up-to-date Medicare Immunisation History Statement will need to be presented to the Enrolments Officer at the MMK Immunisation/Orientation session(s) two months prior to commencing kindergarten. Failure to supply this may result in the loss of your child’s place at the kindergarten.