Mount Martha Preschool offers 3 year old and 4 year old sessional Kinder programs.
We have structured our 4 year old programs to 2x long sessions, to meet the needs of the evolving family requirements of our Kindergarten community. With fewer children per group, each child can connect more closely with their peers and become more socially confident and comfortable.
Our schedule continues to put the children’s needs first by ensuring that each group of children engages with the same two teaching staff for their entire program, maintaining consistency and familiarity.
Timetable, dates, & fees
4 Year old Kindergarten/Preschool
In 2026, we introduced our rotational model, which offers 3 rotational groups to include a Green and Pre-Prep Cohort, with a total of 28 children per group and the same 4 staff.
3 Year Old Kindergarten/Preschool
In 2026, we increased the group session to two 7.5-hour days (that’s 15 funded hours) and increased enrolments to 28 children and 4 staff.
Timetable for 2026
Current Rotational Model
MONDAY
8:30 – 4:00
Wattle Group (3YO)
Purple Group
TUESDAY
8:30 – 4:00
Banksia Groups (4YO)
Blue Group
Green Group
Pre-Prep Cohort
WEDNESDAY
8:30 – 4:00
Banksia Groups (4YO)
Green Group
Red Group
Pre-Prep Cohort
THURSDAY
8:30 – 4:00
Wattle Group (3YO)
Purple Group
FRIDAY
8:30 – 4:00
Nature Program
Banksia Groups (4YO)
Blue Group
Red Group
Why the Rotational Model?
- Make new friends and social connections
- Adapt to new people and situations
- Be exposed to new ideas
- Experience different dynamics
- The ability to adapt to different contexts and new groups of people are important skills for lifelong learning.
Term dates 2026
Term 1 – 28th January to 2nd April
Term 2 – 20th April to 26th June
Term 3 – 13th July to 18th September
Term 4 – 5th October to 18th December
Fee information for families
Under the government Best Start, Best Life initiative, 3-year-old children are funded up to 15 hours per week and 4-year-old children are funded for up to 30 hours per week.
How Do I Enrol My Child
2027 Kindergarten Registrations will open on Friday 1 May 2026 via Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Kindergarten Central Registration System. On-time registrations for 2027 are expected to close in late June, with offers starting in July 2026.
*Please note: Pre-School offers are allocated following the Council-Approved Priority of Access Criteria. For further information about kindergarten offers and the allocation process, please visit: https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Community-Services/Children-Family/Kindergarten
Families should visit https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.
online registration form. There is no cost to register.
‘Sibling Priority’ will now apply to children who have had a sibling attend in either a 3YO or 4YO program at the same service in the preceding 3 years.
For further information please contact the Central Enrolments Team on 5950 1000 or by email at kindergarten@mornpen.vic.gov.au
When Is My Child Eligible to Attend?
Children can attend kindergarten in the two years before they start school. Consider the age you would like your child to start school as this relates to when they will start kindergarten.
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten:
To attend Four-Year-Old-Kindergarten, your child must turn four by 30 April of the year they start. Your child can attend Four-Year-Old-Kindergarten from the beginning of the year.
| If your child was born during | Your child is eligible to attend the 4-year-old program in |
| May 1 2022 – April 30 2023 | 2027 |
| May 1 2023 – April 30 2024 | 2028 |
| May 1 2024 – April 30 2025 | 2029 |
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten:
To attend funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, your child must turn three by 30 April of the year they start. If your child was born between January and April, you can choose which year to start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. Your child can start in the same year they turn three years of age, or in the year they turn four. Due to staffing requirements, some services may ask that children start attending after their third birthday. Contact the kindergarten directly to confirm.
Children With a Birth Date Between 1 January and 30 April:
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten or School?
Your child may be able to start kinder or school due to their age, but are they ready to embark on the next 13+ years of education?
Parents of children with birth dates between 1 January and 30 April may have an opportunity to delay their child’s kindergarten enrolment. If your child is in this category, we strongly advise that you speak with teaching staff, prior to enrolment, to have any questions and concerns about your child’s readiness or delayed start answered.
Please note, a second year of kindergarten is not automatic or guaranteed. Children are only eligible if the early childhood teacher has assessed that your child has significant developmental delays in at least two key areas of development. Maturity or a parental desire to postpone the start of primary school are not sufficient in themselves to receive a second funded year of kindergarten.
Choosing a Preschool: Checklist for Parents
Selecting a Preschool can be a big decision. Please use the Quality Checklist below and be confident that with Mt Martha preschool you have made an excellent choice
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Are all staff qualified? |
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Do teaching staff have a minimum 4-year teaching degree? |
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Do staff appear professional and enthusiastic? |
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Do staff engage in ongoing professional learning? |
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Are staff engaged in high-quality interactions and value relationships with children and families? |
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Does the preschool have a well-established history in the community? |
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Does the preschool access the local community and utilise services? |
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Does the philosophy align with the National/State curriculum? |
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Does the program combine play and learning? |
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Are children seen as active learners? |
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Are children respected, valued and viewed as capable and resourceful? |
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Are families welcome? |
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Can the preschool include children with diverse needs successfully? |
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Is health, hygiene and safety a priority? |
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Are facilities well maintained? |
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Is the outdoor environment interesting and challenging? |
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Is the indoor and outdoor environment valued equally? |
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Does the preschool a wide variety of learning resources? |
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Does the preschool value literacy, numeracy and language development? |
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Does the preschool value children’s ideas and opinions? |
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Does the preschool see learning in all activities, opportunities and experiences? |
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Does the preschool a philosophy on behaviour management that focusses on building a child’s capacity rather than discipline? |
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Are teachers available for regular feedback? |
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Is the preschool supported by a well-run committee? |
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Can families be involved in decision making? |
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Has the service been assessed as “Exceeding” the National Quality Standards? |
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Is there a comprehensive ‘orientation’ program for children? |
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Are group sizes small to maximise individualised attention? |
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Are sessions free of unnecessary interruptions, transitions and staff changes? |
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Will the same staff be responsible for each of your child’s sessions? |