Pre-Prep in West Wimmera Shire
Kindergarten is changing in West Wimmera Shire, with more hours on the way for four-year-old children.
From 2027, Edenhope, Goroke and Kaniva kindergartens will offer 20 hours per week for four-year-olds, increasing to 30 hours by 2031 as part of the Victorian Government’s Pre-Prep rollout.
It means more time for children to learn, play, build confidence and get ready for school.
What is pre-prep?
Pre-Prep is a gradual expansion of four-year-old kindergarten across Victoria.
It builds on the current Free Kinder program and gives children more access to early learning in the year before they start school. The extra time is all about giving children more opportunities to develop important skills in a familiar setting.
Register your interest for 2027
Planning is already underway for the 2027 kindergarten program.
Families are encouraged to add their child’s name to the three-year-old kindergarten waiting list. This will help Council staff understand the demand across shire and plan session times accordingly.
Children already enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten do not need to re-enrol. More information will be provided closer to the time.
Three-year-old registration for 2027
Information session
The Department of Education is running pop-up information sessions across regional Victoria, including one in Edenhope.
Department representatives will be at Henley Park, Edenhope, on 6 June between 8am and 4pm. This is a good chance to ask questions, get clear information and hear what the changes might look like for your family.
Priority access
Some families may be eligible for extra support or priority access, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- children from a refugee or asylum seeker background
- children who have had contact with child protection or are in out-of-home care
- children who have accessed Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning
If this might apply to your family, more information is available through the Department of Education.
Frequently asked questions
When does Pre-Prep start?
The increased hours begin in 2027.
Do I need to do anything now?
The main thing is to register your interest by joining the waiting list. This helps with planning and makes sure you receive updates.
Only children who will be in three-year-old kindergarten in 2027 need to register.
Register here
What will the session times look like?
Session times are still being worked through and will depend on enrolments. More detail will be available later this year.
Is kinder still free?
Yes. The funded kindergarten hours will continue to be free.
Why are the hours increasing?
More time in kindergarten has been shown to help children build confidence, social skills and get ready for school.
What if my child needs extra support?
Kindergarten programs will continue to be inclusive, with support available so all children can take part.
Do I need to re-enrol if my child is already in four-year-old kindergarten?
No. Children already enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten do not need to re-enrol. More information will be provided closer to the time.