Pre-Prep launches for eligible families in 2026

Published on 23 December 2025

From 2026, the Victorian Government will begin changing four-year-old kindergarten to Pre-Prep, with a small group of eligible children receiving extra funded hours of early learning each week.

This first stage means eligible families can access between 16 and 25 hours of quality early education per week, giving children even more time to build friendships, explore their interests, and develop confidence before school.

Children eligible for Pre-Prep in 2026 include those who:

• are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• are from a refugee or asylum seeker background
• have had contact with Child Protection, or
• are supported by Early Start Kindergarten or Access to Early Learning in their three-year-old kinder year.

Pre-Prep builds on Victoria’s commitment to high-quality early education and the success of four-year-old kindergarten, which will gradually transition into Pre-Prep, expanding to 30 hours each week by 2036.

Local early childhood teacher Jackie said the new program will make a real difference for children and families.

“Pre-Prep gives children more time to learn and grow. These early years are so important. I’m excited to see little ones thrive with the extra hours of learning and play,” Jackie said.

For families not yet eligible, 15 hours of free four-year-old kinder will continue each week. More children will be welcomed into Pre-Prep as the program expands in the coming years.

To check your child’s eligibility or stay up to date with how Pre-Prep will be introduced in the City of Whittlesea, visit the Four-year-old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep page or email keo@whittlesea.vic.gov.au