Enrolling children in kindergarten will be easier and cheaper for families in Melton following a state government funding boost for a central enrolment system.
The government will provide $5.2 million to support council to operate the Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES) services for kindergarten, making it easier for families to apply for multiple services in their area.
The CRES grants enable councils to provide registration and enrolment services at no cost to families.
More than 1000 kindergartens across Victoria are being supported to operate a CRES.
The government said more than 70,000 children across Victoria are enrolled through CRES, representing more than half of all enrolments.
Centralised systems also allow services to identify families who may be experiencing disadvantage and proactively engage with them, with direct links to other council-run services such as maternal and child health programs, the government said.
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the grant would help ease cost-of-living pressures for families.
“Families in Melton can now access free, centralised kinder enrolment – saving time, reducing costs and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life,” he said.
