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We are undertaking a scheduled review of the Kindergarten Policy as part of a three-year cycle to ensure it remains up to date, especially with many changes in the to the evolving early years service sector.

The revised policy supports our commitment to lifelong learning, equitable access to services, and community wellbeing. These are key priorities outlined in the Council Plan and Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–2029.

It reflects major sector reforms, including the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life initiative, which introduced two years of funded kindergarten before school.

It also aligns with Council’s transition to an Early Years Partnership approach, strengthening our role in strategic planning, advocacy, and collaboration to support inclusive, high-quality early education across Knox.

The Kindergarten Policy sets a series of guiding principles that reflect our commitment to supporting high-quality, inclusive and responsive early years education.

These principles provide a foundation for how Council will work with families, providers, and partners to strengthen outcomes for children across our community.

• Quality early learning: Supporting high-quality kindergarten experiences that foster children’s development, wellbeing, and readiness for school.
• Inclusive access: Ensuring all children, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance, can participate in and benefit from kindergarten.
• Collaborative partnerships: Strengthening relationships between Council, providers, families, and the broader early years sector to deliver better outcomes.
• Adaptability and responsiveness: Building a policy framework that can evolve with changing community needs, sector reforms, and local priorities.
• Sustainability and long-term impact: Promoting approaches that are financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable for future generations.

We’re asking if the proposed Guiding Principles — quality, inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, and sustainability — are relevant, clearly understood, and feel right for our community. Your feedback will help us make sure the revised Kindergarten Policy reflects what matters most to families, educators, and providers in Knox. It will guide the final version that goes to Council for approval.

• Feedback from families, educators, service providers, and sector partners to ensure the policy reflects what matters most.
• Research, benchmarking and review best practice across local and state government to ensure the policy is informed, relevant, and future-focused.
• Alignment with relevant legislation and Council’s strategic priorities, including the Council Plan and Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–2029.
• The final Kindergarten Policy will be presented to Council for endorsement at a public meeting.

Residents across the Knox community, especially families with young children, and early years service providers. We also welcome input from educators, sector partners, and anyone with an interest in shaping the future of kindergarten in Knox.

For this project we will be engaging our community at the level of Consult on the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum.

This means we will listen to what you say and consider it when we make a decision.

Right now, we’re focusing on the Guiding Principles that will shape Knox City Council’s role in supporting kindergarten services. These principles will guide how we plan, advocate, and work with others to make sure every child has access to quality early learning.