2017 Application Form...October 2016 Second round offer letters sent October onwards 2016 Kindergartens receive enrolment details for all accepted places From November 2016 onwards

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Moorabool Shire Council—Four year old Kindergarten Central Enrolment Information. Contact Council’s Early Years Service for more information on 5366 7100

or [email protected]

CENTRAL ENROLMENT INFORMATION

2017 Application Form

mailto:[email protected]

CENTRAL ENROLMENT INFORMATION 2017

Introduction 3

Kindergarten Eligibility 3

Early Start Kindergarten 3

Lodging your Application 4

Application Fee 4

Participating Kindergartens 4

Application Timeline 5

Acknowledgement of Applications 5

Incomplete Applications 5

Changes to Applications 5

Required Documentation 6

Immunisation 6

Second Year of Funded Kindergarten 6

Priority of Access Chart 7

Children with Additional Needs 8

Allocation of Places 9

Offer of a Place 9

Applications Received After the First &

Second Round Offers 10

Kindergarten Group & Sessions 10

Deferral of Enrolment 10

Cancellation of Application or Place 10

Transfer of Kindergarten Places 11

Non Residents of Moorabool Shire 11

Appeals Process 11

Privacy & Confidentiality 11

Page 2 Moorabool Shire Council—Four year old Kindergarten Central Enrolment Information

Table of Contents

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Introduction

Moorabool Shire Council is participating in a trial Central Enrolment Project in partnership with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and funded by the Victorian State Government. The project aims to assist Local Government to improve access to kindergarten services for families. Central enrolment has been set up to enrol children in four year old kindergarten programs for the 2017 kindergarten year.

Moorabool Shire Council Central Enrolment enrols children in four year old Kindergarten programs on behalf of four kindergartens located within the municipality. Participating Kindergartens are: Young Street, Darley (formerly Lerderderg), Wallace and Ballan Kindergartens.

Kindergarten Eligibility

Kindergarten is an early learning program for children in the year before school entry. Kindergarten programs are designed to engage children in quality learning experiences and provide them with opportunities to further develop their cognitive, creative, social, emotional and physical skills. Your child will build self-confidence and gain the ability to use and recognise language through a play-based curriculum.

The following children are eligible to attend four year old kindergarten in 2017; as per the Department of Education & Training funding criteria:

Children who turn 4 years of age on or before 30th of April in the year of kindergarten attendance. Children who have received funding for a second year of kindergarten. Children who were eligible to attend a four year old program in the previous year, but deferred from the

four year old program on or before the last day of Term 1. Children turning 6 years of age in their year of kindergarten who have been granted an exemption from the

Department of Education & Training school entry age requirements. Children who are younger than the eligible age, but whose parents/guardians have been approved for their

child to attend kindergarten the following year.

Early Start Kindergarten

Early Start Kindergarten provides free or low cost kindergarten to eligible three year old children where programs are offered by a qualified teacher. Early Start Kindergarten is available for children who turn three by 30th April in the year they will be attending kindergarten and whose family is known to Child Protection (including those referred directly from Child Protection to Child FIRST) or are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/learningdev/Pages/earlystartkinder.aspx Research shows an early start and more time at kindergarten prepares children for success at school and has a positive impact later in life.


mailto:http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/learningdev/Pages/earlystartkinder.aspx



Lodging your Application

Applications must be lodged at Council by 5:00pm on Wednesday, 30 June 2016 to be considered in the first round of offers. Application forms and payment can be returned to Council:

Via Email to: [email protected]

Via Mail to:

Moorabool Shire Council PO Box 18 BALLAN VIC 3342

In Person to Council offices

Darley Civic Hub: 182 Halletts Way, Darley

Lerderderg Library: Main Street, Bacchus Marsh

Ballan Office: 15 Stead Street, Ballan

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $22.00 is required on submission of applications. Payment can be made by:

Cash in person at a Council office Via post with cheque or money order attached Via email to [email protected]

(Provide your day time contact number and a Council officer will call you and you can make a credit payment over the telephone).

Please make cheques/money orders payable to the Moorabool Shire Council. If payment is not received with your application, it will be deemed incomplete and will not be processed until received.

Participating Kindergartens

Kindergartens participating in Moorabool Shire

Council Central Enrolment:

Young Street Kindergarten

Cnr Young & Bennett Streets, Bacchus Marsh

Telephone: (03) 5367 2443

Darley Kindergarten (formerly Lerderderg)

182 Halletts Way, Darley

Telephone: (03) 5367 2206

Wallace & District Kindergarten

739 Bungaree—Wallace Road, Wallace

Telephone: (03) 5334 0268

Ballan Kindergarten

88 Simpson Street, Ballan

Telephone: (03) 5368 1228




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Incomplete Applications

If an application is incomplete, i.e. the required documentation and/or payment are not received. You will be contacted via telephone, email or letter requesting the required information. Your application will not be processed until outstanding documentation and/or payment has been received.

Changes to Applications

Changes to your Application including contact details, change of Preference etc. must be made in writing to Council via:

Email to: [email protected]

Or post to: Moorabool Shire Council PO Box 18 BALLAN VIC 3342

CENTRAL ENROLMENT TIMELINE

Page 5 Moorabool Shire Council—Four year old Kindergar-

ten Central Enrolment Information

Application Timeline 7th March 2016

Applications Open Council receives applications

April onwards 2016

Council receives applications Acknowledgement letters are sent

30th June 2016

Applications for first round offers close 5:00pm

August 2016 First round offer letters sent

30th September 2016

Applications for second round offers close 5:00pm

October 2016 Second round offer letters sent

October onwards 2016

Kindergartens receive enrolment details for all accepted places

From November 2016 onwards

Families receive information directly from the accepted kindergarten

Acknowledgment of Applications

An acknowledgement letter will be sent or emailed to you confirming your application has been received.

If you have not received an Acknowledgement Letter within four weeks of submitting your application, please contact Council on (03) 5366 7100 or via email to: [email protected]



Immunisation

The Victorian Government has amended the Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008, effective January 2016. The amendments mean that early childhood education and care services cannot confirm the enrolment of a child unless the parent/carer has provided documentation that shows the child:

a) is fully vaccinated

b) is on a recognised catch up schedule if their child has fallen behind with their vaccinations or

c) has a medical reason not to be vaccinated.

If you accept a kindergarten place for your child you will be required to provide an Immunisation History Statement upon enrolment with the kindergarten in November.

An Immunisation History Statement can be requested from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register by calling 1800 653 809 or via email to [email protected], through their web site www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/online or by visiting a Medicare Service Centre.

Second Year of funded Kindergarten

A child is eligible to receive a second year of funded Kindergarten if:

a) the child is observed as having delays in at least two (2) areas of learning and development detailed in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and;

b) there is evidence to suggest the child will achieve better outcomes if he/she attends a second year of kindergarten to strengthen the learning and development of skills in these areas and better facilitate transition to school the following year.

Please speak to your child’s early childhood teacher who can help you determine your child’s eligibility.

CENTRAL ENROLMENT INFOMATION


Required Documentation

The following documentation is required to be submitted with your child’s Application Form:

Proof of your child’s birth (such as a Birth

Certificate or Passport). Do not send originals.

For Moorabool Shire Residents - proof of your

address (such as Current Rates Notice, Utility Bill or Bank Statement).

Non-residents please refer to Priority of Access Chart.

Children who are eligible for Priority of Access must provide additional documentation as outlined in the Priority of Access (page 7).



http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/online

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Priority of Access

Places will be offered in accordance with the Priority of Access (see the chart below) and the Moorabool Shire Council Central Enrolment Policy. A copy of the Kindergarten Central Enrolment Policy is available on Council’s website www.moorabool.vic.gov.au or a copy can be emailed or mailed to you on request by contacting Council on 5366 7100 or via email [email protected]

Priority One

(all of equal priority)

Priority of Access Criteria Process to Verify Needs

Children of Moorabool residents who are vulnerable and at risk of abuse or neglect, including children in out-of-home care

The child is:

Attending a 3-year-old kindergarten program through Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning or;

Referred by:

Child Protection

Child and Family Services (family services referral and support team, Child FIRST)

Maternal and Child Health nurse, or

Out-of-Home Care provider

Children of Moorabool residents who are of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander descent

Families identifying the child as an Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander

Children of Moorabool residents who are asylum seekers / refugees

Appropriate visa that identifies the child and / or parents as a refugee or asylum seeker

Children of Moorabool residents who are eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy

Children or parents who hold a Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veteran’s Affairs Card or proof of multiple birth children

Children of Moorabool residents with additional needs, defined as children who:

Require additional assistance in order to fully participate in the kindergarten program

Require a combination of services which are individually planned

Have an identified specific disability or development delay

The child is:

Assessed as having delays in two or more areas and is declared eligible for a second funded year of kindergarten

Approved for Kindergarten Inclusion Support package

Holds a Child Disability Health Care Card, or Referred by:

The National Disability Insurance Scheme

Early Childhood Intervention Service, or

Maternal and Child Health nurse

PRIORITY OF ACCESS CHART

mailto:www.moorabool.vic.gov.au




PRIORITY OF ACCESS CHART

Priority One

continued

(all of equal priority)

Priority of Access Criteria Process to Verify Needs

Previous year deferrals Children of Moorabool residents who were eligible to attend the previous year but deferred to the following year prior to the last day of Term 1

Children attending a 2nd year of kindergarten Children identified as eligible to enrol in a second year of kindergarten

Priority Four Non-Residents of Moorabool Shire

Applications are assessed on a case by case basis in January.

Priority Two

Residents of Moorabool Shire or intention of becoming a resident

Verification documents will be in the form of:

Evidence of living in the municipality or of being a rate payer of Moorabool Shire, or

Contract of Sale document

Priority Three

Children who have a connection to Moorabool Shire and meets one or more of the following:

The child’s parent/guardian is working within Moorabool

The child’s parent/guardian is studying within Moorabool

Applications are assessed on a case by case basis in January.

Verification documents will be in the form of:

Letter from employer or educational institution

Children with Additional Needs

Kindergartens in the Moorabool Shire are inclusive and all children, children of all abilities are welcome.

Please outline your child’s additional needs on the application form, so the kindergarten can arrange appropriate assistance for your child if necessary

Please remember the more information you are able to provide about your child the more the kindergarten will be able to support your child and meet his or her educational needs.

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Allocation of Places After applications close for each of the round offers, children’s kindergarten places will be allocated according to the priority of access see page 7, and your kindergarten preference. A ballot system will be used when the number of applications for a kindergarten out numbers the number of places available at the particular kindergarten. Offer of a Place Offers will be made via email or post (according to your preference). You will then be required to respond in writing with one of the following choices:

Accept the kindergarten place offered; Reject the offer and ask to be placed on a waiting list for your preferred kindergarten; Defer your application to the following kindergarten year; or Cancel your application

Applications Received After the First and Second Round Offers Applications received after first and second round offers will be allocated to available kindergartens according to your preferences. If no places are available your child will be placed on a waiting list according to the priority of access guidelines and the date your application was received by Council.

Waiting List If application numbers exceed the number of kindergarten places available, you will be allocated your second preference based on availability of places, if there are no places available at any of your preferred kindergartens, you will be notified of alternative places or given the option of remaining on the waiting list. Applicants on the waiting list are offered places in order of priority and the date the application was received. Children will continue to be placed until all vacancies are filled.



Kindergarten Group & Sessions

Council will advise each of the Kindergarten Providers

of the confirmed enrolments in late October, the year

prior to commencement.

Kindergarten Providers will contact you in November

and provide you with details of the orientation program,

group session times, fees etc.

Deferral of Enrolment

You may defer your child’s enrolment prior to or within term 1, providing your child’s enrolment has not been recorded on the Kindergarten Information Management System.

If you chose to defer your child’s enrolment you should speak to your child’s early childhood teacher as soon as possible to discuss your child’s readiness for kindergarten. Applicants wanting to defer their child's kindergarten enrolment will need to complete and lodge a Deferral Form to Council. Deferred enrolments will be re-offered the following year. Deferral forms are available upon request from Council. Cancellation of Application or Place

Cancellation of a kindergarten place must be submitted in writing via:

Email to: [email protected] or;

In writing to: Moorabool Shire Council PO Box 18 BALLAN VIC 3342

At the time of Cancellation; Council will seek information from you about the reason why you have cancelled your child’s place . This information will help inform future planning and Central Enrolment service



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Transfer of Kindergarten Places Once you have accepted a kindergarten place, a transfer to another kindergarten is possible depending on the availability of a place at your preferred kindergarten. Requests to ‘Transfer Kindergarten’ must be made in writing by completing a Change of Information form (available online or via request) and lodging it with Council.

Non-Residents of Moorabool Shire Kindergarten applications received from non-residents will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in January of your child’s Kindergarten year. Please refer to the Priori-ty of Access Chart on pages 7 & 8. Families are also considered Non-Residents if they move out of the Moorabool Shire prior to the commencement of the kindergarten year.

Appeals Process If you have a dispute you are encouraged to lodge an appeal in writing to Council attention to the Coordinator, Early Childhood Education & Care Services . A formal response will be sent within 10 business days of receipt of a letter or email.

Privacy & Confidentiality Access to completed application forms will be restricted to the Early Years Service, and other relevant Council officers. Your enrolment information will be provided to the kindergarten your child has been allocated to. Personal Information is held by Moorabool Shire Council in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act

2014.



Completed applications must be returned to:

Darley Civic & Community Hub Ballan Office Lerderderg Library 182 Halletts Way, Darley 15 Stead Street, Ballan 215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh Telephone: 5366 7100

via Email to: [email protected] If returning via post, please enclose application form with cheque/money order and mail to:

Moorabool Shire Council PO Box 18 BALLAN VIC 3342



Documents

2017 Application Form...October 2016 Second round offer letters sent October onwards 2016 Kindergartens receive enrolment details for all accepted places From November 2016 onwards