Frequently Asked Questions

First round offers will be emailed to the primary email address on a child’s application. In addition to the email, a family will receive a text message confirming that they have received an offer via email.

These offers do not occur at the same time for every kindergarten and will be distributed throughout the day for all 32 services. 

It’s important to note the allocation process is ongoing and will continue throughout the year.

Families who do not receive a first round offer will receive a text message confirming that they will remain on the waitlist throughout the allocation process. 

Follow the link and instructions provided in your Kinder Place Offer email. You will have the choice to “Accept” or “Decline”. Please take note of the dates and deadlines provided in your information.

Unfortunately, no. Many of our services are in very high demand and it is not always possible to offer every child a place.

In instances where more eligible children apply for a place than there are places available, Meli must prioritise children based on the Department of Education (DE) Priority of Access criteria and locally agreed criteria.

For more information, visit our Priority of Access criteria page here.

Following first round offers, the allocation process continues for the remainder of the year as places become available. 

Across our services we offer a range of different group structures, all which come with their own advantages. Here is some information on the main models on offer at Meli Kindergartens: 

Rotational Models: 

A rotational model is where a number of smaller sub-groups are brought together to create a larger group. The smaller sub-group attend together throughout the week on the same days and will attend with other groups of children during the week. The same groups attend the same regular days ensuring continuity from week to week. 

The benefit of a rotational model is that children are supported to: 

• make new friends  

• adapt to new people and situations  

• be exposed to new ideas  

• experience different dynamics  

• be better prepared for the number of children they will meet at school.  

A rotational model promotes resilience, flexibility and exposes children to a variety of learning relationships and opportunities. 

Where rotational groups include both 3 and 4-year-old children, children learn together in a setting that reflects the mix of ages found in families and schools. The ability to adapt to different contexts and new groups of people are important skills for lifelong learning. 

Multi-age groups (combined groups) 

A multi-age group is where children aged 3 to 5 years are combined in the same group. Historically, children have always lived and learned in groups of children of different ages, both within and beyond their family settings. Building relationships with children of different ages is a valuable skill for participation at school, during play, and in children’s wider communities.  

Multi-aged groups can occasionally create different dynamics in the way the different age groups mix. This can lead to developmental opportunities and teachable moments related to responsibility, leadership, patience, compassion and empathy. 

The benefits of multi-age groups: 

• when older and younger children are grouped together, older children gain valuable skills in helping, guiding and teaching younger children  

• play within multi-age groups tends to be more complex which, in turn, supports language development and the development of social skills  

• children may be able to learn at a more comfortable pace in a multi-age learning environment, focusing on what they can do. The learning environment may be more co-operative, than competitive  

• working across different age groups can provide opportunities for the teaching team to expand their professional practice  

• multi-age grouping can allow children from the same family who are close in age to attend early childhood education programs together, if appropriate, which may be convenient for families. 

Longer Days  

Longer teaching days have a different rhythm for both educators and children. With careful planning, all the positive aspects of a shorter day can be transferred into a longer day format. More time will be available to work with individuals and groups, as well as transitions and snack times. 

All programs offer a considered routine and rituals that are predictable and familiar. Teachers and Educators support children to understand what comes next and provide a sense of security and comfort. 

Benefits of a longer day: 

• more opportunities for children to access increased hours each week at your service as we roll out Pre-Prep. Increased access to early childhood education means enhanced learning and development opportunities for more children and families  

• slower and deeper learning activities with extended periods of uninterrupted play  

• more time to focus on activities and transition between activities – there will also be extended opportunities for children to socialise, make friends and develop their independence  

• additional incursions and excursions can be incorporated into the program (for example, road safety, dental health, community visits etc.)  

• more opportunities to involve families (for example, by inviting parents and carers to attend the service to ‘stay and play’).  

If you would like to speak with someone about the suitability of a particular group for your child, please contact the Families, Enrolments and Relief team on 52730200.  

Offers are generated based on preferences submitted by families. If your preference is to attend 15 hours per week you are able to accept the place offered to you.

If you think you may have made a mistake, or you have not identified as being eligible for priority hours, please contact our team to discuss options available to you. 

Please visit: Kindergarten Session times | Meli for information on session times at our services.

Meli Kindergartens offers places for both three and four-year-old kindergarten programs.

Follow the Apply Now buttons on our pages, we only accept applications within the year prior to your child starting kindergarten.

Fill out your child’s details on our online application form and list up to six Meli Kindergartens in the order of your preference and select a group for each preference. If you haven’t considered more than one place, you can view our virtual tours to find suitable kindergartens for your family.

Priority of Access for 2026

To see the full criteria for 2027 please visit our page Kindergarten Priority of Access 2027 | Meli

Whenever you move house, you must update your details. 

Email enrolments@meli.org.au and Meli will provide you a link to update your details. 

If your move means your child can no longer attend kindergarten, read the instructions under How do I cancel my kindergarten place. 

If you would like to cancel your child’s kindergarten place, please contact email: enrolments@meli.org.au in writing or call (03) 5273 0200.

Depending on what time of year you are wanting to cancel your child’s enrolment will impact their kindergarten funding (especially if you have decided your child will attend another kindergarten/long daycare service outside of Meil).

Please contact us so we can complete the correct process required by the Department of Education.

Child safety is our highest priority. Our 32 kindergartens meet or exceed the National Quality Standards and fully comply with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.

Our Approach to Child Safety:

• Robust Policies: Child Safe policies guide every aspect of our work, ensuring that child safety is embedded in our culture, practices and decision-making. You can read our policies here.
• Our People: Meli has comprehensive policies and procedures related to screening employees when they apply for roles with Meli. We ensure a Child Safe environment at each kindergarten and adhere to active and appropriate supervision of children. Our ongoing training practices reflect our commitment to child safety.
• Listening to Children: Our early childhood educators actively listen to and value children’s voices.
• Safe and Nurturing Spaces: We create environments where children feel supported, respected and heard. Every Meli kindergarten is designed to be a place where children can thrive – emotionally, socially, and physically.
• Mandatory Reporting and Accountability: Our staff are trained and supported to identify and report any concerns in line with our strong internal protocols. We operate under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
• Encouraging Feedback: We value the voice of children and families and encourage you to raise any concerns about child safety directly with your Kindergarten Leader,  email us at kindergartens@meli.org.au, or call (03) 5273 0200.

Meli has comprehensive policies and procedures related to screening employees when they apply for roles with Meli, ensuring a child safe environment at each kindergarten and adhering to active and appropriate supervision of children.

Our educators actively listen to children, and value their voices. We create nurturing spaces where children feel respected, confident, and comfortable to express themselves.

We welcome questions and feedback. Families can speak directly with their Kindergarten Leader, email kindergartens@meli.org.au, call (03) 5273 0200, or contact feedback@meli.org.au.

Kindergarten is an important part of young children’s growth and development and attendance is strongly recommended for all children. Attending kindergarten improves children’s health and wellbeing, supports their development, helps them to develop strong social skills and encourages a love of learning.

Children who go to a kindergarten program are more likely to be independent and confident and to make a smooth transition to primary school.

Kindergarten aims to support children’s learning and development, social skills, emotional skills, language, literacy and numeracy skills, self-awareness and respect for others, ability to make new friends and exposes them to new ideas and concepts.

Our high quality kindergarten programs will offer your child a range of learning experiences and activities that are both stimulating and fun. Your child’s learning and curiosity about their world will be encouraged through different experiences and activities, such as exploring the natural world, being exposed to new ideas and solving problems.

Your child will have the opportunity to:

• develop their social and communication skills by forming relationships and friendships with other children and taking part in group activities and cooperative play
• express their creativity through dance, music and art
• increase their independence and develop an identity that is strong in culture and community
• develop the skills and knowledge that they need for reading, writing and mathematics
• increase their problem-solving skills and their understanding of the world around them.

Kindergarten is for all children and is inclusive of all children. If your child has a disability or needs additional help with their learning and development, the educators will work with you to ensure that the program and learning environment meet the needs of your child.

Some of our centres also include bush and beach kindergarten sessions, so that children learn to care for and learn from the natural world around them.

For information on when your child can start kindergarten see When to start Kindergarten.

Children who turn six at any time during the kindergarten year need to be exempt from attending school.

Parents/guardians must complete an exemption form and attach any evidence with it. Exemption from school forms can be found by searching going to kindergarten if your child is six years old at www.education.vic.gov.au.

You are required to provide a copy of your child’s exemption from school form with your child’s registration.

An additional year of funded kindergarten may be considered appropriate when a child shows delays in at least two learning and development outcome areas from the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).

If the teacher believes your child has a developmental delay in two or more key areas and would benefit from a second year, they will talk to you about your options and if you agree, the teacher will work with you to complete the Declaration of Eligibility documentation as required by the Department of Education. 

 For further information please visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/additional-year-of-funded-kindergarten  

Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep through a staged roll out schedule across the State.  

For more information on the Pre-Prep and changes that will impact our Meli kindergarten families visit our page here.

Please visit the Best Start, Best Life Reforms webpage for further information on Pre-Prep and the roll out schedule: https://www.vic.gov.au/best-start-best-life-reforms 

All Meli kindergartens provide an inclusive program for all children.

Parents and carers are encouraged to provide details of any additional needs or medical requirements your child may have, in the relevant section on the Meli Kindergarten Registration Form.

Meli can then work to ensure families and children have access to available assistance to ensure a smooth transition into kindergarten programs for every child.

Under the ‘No Jab, No play’ legislation that came into force on 28 February 2018, children are required to be fully vaccinated for their age before they can be enrolled in a kindergarten program.

Conscientious objection is not an exemption.

To have your child’s enrolment confirmed, you need to provide:
• a current immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register, and
• the statement must show your child is up to date with all vaccinations that are due for their age. Or they’re up to date with the vaccinations they’re able to receive.

This is known as “No Jab No Play”.

The immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is the only document accepted for enrolments. Letters from GPs or local councils are not accepted.

You can find out more about No Jab No Play on the Better Health Channel.
Parents and carers can print a copy of their child’s Immunisation History Statement from their myGov account or:
• call the AIR on 1800 653 809
• visit a Medicare or Centrelink office.

Families who do not hold a Medicare card must call the AIR to request an immunisation history statement. A translating and interpreting service is available by calling 131 450, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.45pm

There are no fees for children to attend sessional kindergarten with Meli. 

If a family no longer requires a kindergarten place during the kindergarten year, Meli must be provided with written notification by email to enrolments@meli.org.au that the position is no longer required

Meli Kindergartens value all feed, if you would like to lodge a complaint or provide feedback the first step is to speak directly with your kindergarten leader or you can email kindergartens@meli.org.au.

If a complaint cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, it will be referred to the Kindergarten Services Manager, Meli, for consideration and review. Alternatively, you can contact Meli via their feedback portal here – Feedback and Complaints | Meli

All feedback will be accepted and responded to in a cooperative and reasonable manner that seeks a satisfactory resolution for all parties.

For a copy of the Meli Complaints and Grievances Policy please click here.

Meli collects personal information to comply with the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 and Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010, and also for purposes of registering your child in the Meli Kindergarten Central Enrolment System.

Meli considers it is necessary and important to collect this information to ensure that appropriate information is registered for your child.

This information will be used for Meli administrative purposes and will be provided to relevant Meli educators for the enrolment of your child at the kindergartens listed in this handbook. This information will not be disclosed to any other party except as required by law.