Priority of Enrolment at Renown Kindergarten – Australian Program

To allocate enrolment places fairly, the enrolments office will endeavour to follow the guidelines listed below:

1. Children currently enrolled at Renown (repeating students, or those moving from the 3 year old to the 4 year old program)
2. Siblings of children who have attended Renown, provided that their enrolment application form and fee are received no later than the last day of term 1 in the year prior to commencement.
3. Children who reside in the City Of Stonnington.
4. Children who reside elsewhere.

The determining factor, when there are too many applicants of comparable priority, will be the date of reception of ‘Application for Enrolment’ form and non-refundable application fee.  In all circumstances, this form must be submitted within an appropriate period of time in order to be placed on the relevant wait list.

You need to return your preferences within three weeks, as allocations are made based on when the forms are received back. While we endeavour to offer you your first preference, as we only have 20 children per group, we cannot guarantee this.

Please email our Enrolments Officer, Liz Varney at enrolments@renown.org.au stating that you no longer require a place. If you don’t have email access, please call her on 0431 099 307 as soon as possible. This will allow us to offer your place to another child on our waiting list.

To secure your position, you will need to pay an Enrolment Fee of $150 within three weeks of your written offer.  Please complete the ‘Enrolment Fee Payment Form’ and send it back with your ‘Confirmation of Enrolment 2011’ form.

Term Fees are listed here.

Unfortunately no - Government Legislation clearly states that children must turn 3 years of age before they can start three year old kindergarten. Therefore, in this scenario your child can only attend kindergarten on their scheduled kinder days on or after March 27, and once an agreed settling-in process has been discussed with the 3 year old Teacher.

Please note: Children must turn 3 years of age by April 30 to be eligible for the 3 year old program.

Unfortunately no. Since Renown Kindergarten offers 3 year old children a place right up until April 30, full term fees are charged to secure your place. Since 3 year old kindergarten is not Government funded, it’s important that Renown is not financially disadvantaged by offering places to children who turn 3 after January 31.

Ultimately, this decision is your choice based on what’s best of your child and your family’s requirements. However, we do suggest that if your child is; young (turns 3 between January to April), hasn’t had exposure to childcare or displays significant separation anxiety, that you consider the half day sessions. This program may better ease your child into kindergarten life and develop their ability to cope without you, in a more structured environment in preparation for 4 year old kindergarten.

Then, if you and/or your teacher believe a second consolidation year of 3 year old kindergarten would benefit your child, you may have the option of enrolling in the 2 x full day program the following year.

If a place is available in the program the change can be made easily. However, if the programs are full, you will be placed on a waiting list and have preference should someone leave/change.

There are a number of developmental factors that determine whether a child is ready for school, such as social, emotional and language skills for example. While the purpose of 4 year old kindergarten is to develop fundamental life skills, there are times when some children may need another year of kindergarten to consolidate these skills before school. Throughout the year, particularly towards the end of Term 2, you will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s ‘school readiness’ and their progress with your 4 year old teacher. It will be through these consultations and ongoing feedback that will help you determine what is best for your child.

Currently in Victoria, the Government funds one year of 4 year old kindergarten per child. However, a 4 year old teacher can request another year of kindergarten, (which is funded), for a child who needs further development in a number of areas, based on clearly defined criteria. If this is the case, you will only pay the standard term fee (currently, for example it would be $670/term) for the second year of 4 year old kindergarten. If the written request is made mid-year by your teacher, your child will be guaranteed a place at Renown the following year.

However, if your teacher believes your child is ‘school ready’, but you want them to repeat 4 year old kindergarten, you will be asked to pay the standard term fee + the Government subsidy component. In this circumstance, based on when this decision is made, we cannot guarantee a place at Renown kindergarten the following year.

Yes. If you do qualify for the Governments’ ChildCare Benefit / Rebate, you can register your details with the kindergarten and complete the relevant forms at a Family Assistance Office or Centrelink.

Yes. The Government will subsidise a portion of the hours your child attends kindergarten. With the return of your forms, please submit a photocopy of your HealthCare Card, so we can create an accurate invoice for 2011. Please note: The Enrolment Fee is not reduced and families still need to pay $150 to secure their place.

In November, all new families will be asked to attend an Information Meeting/AGM at Renown Kindergarten. It’s here that you’ll receive an Enrolment Pack. This will include all the relevant paperwork to be completed, information about the Kindergarten and your Interview time prior to your child’s commencement. This meeting also provides parents/guardians with an opportunity to join and become involved in the Parent’s Kindergarten Committee. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you will need to contact your kindergarten teacher for your Enrolment Pack.