ENROLLING YOUR CHILD AT IHK
Please note we are no longer accepting enrolments for 2025. 
​
Isabel Henderson is a highly sought after kindergarten and demand continues to increase each year. Families may apply to Isabel Henderson Kindergarten at any time from birth.
When enrolling your child into a kindergarten program your child must be 3 years of age BEFORE commencing a 3-year-old program and must be 4 years of age by 30 April in the year of attendance at a 4-year-old program.
 
Below is a guide to inform you when your child is eligible to attend 3- and 4-year-old kinder;

DATE OF BIRTH
1 May 2021 - 30 April 2022
​1 May 2022 - 30 April 2023
1 May 2023 - 30 April 2024
1 May 2024 - 30 April 2025
1 May 2025 - 30 April 2026

​3 YR OLD KINDER
2025
​2026
​2027
2028
2029

​4 YR OLD KINDER
​2026
​2027
​2028
2029
2030

​Fees
Daily fee - $139 per day (from 2025)
Our funded program runs for a maximum of 8 hours a day, from 8.30am until 4.30pm. During these times the 3- and 4-year-old program is delivered by a qualified teacher, and supported by diploma trained educators. Out of these hours we may have a combination of degree and diploma qualified staff with the children eg during drop off and collection times. The daily fee applies regardless of the time families choose to drop off and collect their child. eg There is no reduction in the daily fee for attending shorter days.

​Enrolment Fee 
From 2025 families will be charged a one-off cost of $400 which is payable upon acceptance of a place being offered. The fee is required to confirm your place in the program and is refundable at the completion of the two years at IHK (or when a family leaves the centre).

 
Administration Fee 
An administration fee of $50 is taken per family (NOT per child) at the time of application, and can be paid HERE. Once payment has been received you will be placed on the waiting list and provided with a receipt. The date of your application is noted. In some instances, there may be children who are moved to the top of the waiting list – please see Priority of Access below – with families living in North Fitzroy offered positions first.

​We will make contact with families on the waitlist at the beginning of Term 3 the year before they start 3 year old kinder. At this point you are required to inform us of your intentions for enrolment, days preferred and number of days required however there is no guarantee. No enrolment is confirmed and approved until all the required information has been provided which includes immunisation status. 
If you have any questions regarding the application and enrolment process, please do not hesitate to ring the office on 9481 6152 during business hours, or email [email protected] or [email protected]

We strongly encourage all families to arrange to have a tour of the kindergarten with your child, during which you will meet the Director and/or Educational Leader who will answer any further questions. It is important we determine your child is ready for 3 year old kindergarten as there is no option to repeat the program. Starting kindergarten before a child is developmentally, physically, emotionally and socially ready, can significantly impact their participation, sense of belonging and transition into the program. Further information regardless readiness can be found here https://www.vic.gov.au/when-start-kindergarten
​
  Bookings for tours can be made HERE.

​No Jab, No Play – Children’s Immunisation Policy 
All children must be immunised to attend both our 3-year-old and 4 year old programs. Families are required to provide evidence of up-to-date vaccinations prior to beginning at IHK. Your child's enrolment cannot be confirmed unless evidence is provided. Families on catch up schedules as part of qualifying for the 16 week ‘support period', are required to provide IHK with documentation from a registered GP of the schedule to be followed. Children who have not commenced vaccinations within the 16-week time frame may be asked to withdraw from the program, depending on the agreement that has been made with families.
Families experiencing difficulty with their child's immunisations are encouraged to speak with the Director. We are committed to working with families to help overcome any barriers to the enrolment process, including meeting the requirements for immunisations

Priority of Access 
The Priority of Access guidelines reflect the Australian Government’s intention to help families who need it most and supports the safety and wellbeing of children at risk. Isabel Henderson Kindergarten adheres to the following priority of access guidelines when assessing and determining enrolments in both 3- and 4-year-old kindergarten.
 
Priority One
A child at risk of serious abuse or neglect, including children in out-of-home care, and families and children known to Child Protection and/or involved with Family Crisis support services.

Priority Two 
A child of a single parent, or both parents who both satisfy the work/study/training test.

​Within these categories, the following children are also given priority;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
- Children in families which include a person with a disability or require additional assistance in order to fully participate in kindergarten
- Children whose family reside in North Fitzroy
- Children in families with non-English speaking backgrounds
- Children whose siblings previously attended Isabel Henderson Kindergarten

Please note categories listed are not representative of the order in which priority ​of access is granted. The Director oversees management and determination of enrolments. The kindergarten reserves the right to hold places for children who are referred by Child Protection.​