Kindergarten Fees
The Department of Education provides per capita funding as a contribution towards the cost of operating 15 hours in each of the 3 year old and 4 year old kindergarten programs.
The Victorian Government provides Free Kindergarten funding for both three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs; however, this funding does not fully cover the cost of operating our preschool. Free Kindergarten funding provides up to 15 hours per week (during school terms) in the two years before a child starts school and is paid directly to the kindergarten. Families are required to complete a declaration confirming their child is only claiming this funding at one service.
Families will only be charged fees if their child attends more than the funded 15 hours per week or is enrolled in Extended KinderCare. This applies to both three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs. The Administration & Enrolments Officer can provide further details when enrolling your child.
The Victorian Government is progressively introducing Pre-Prep, which will increase funded four-year-old kindergarten hours from 15 to 30 hours per week over the coming years. Priority groups will be able to enrol in increased hours earlier, with the full 30-hour program expected to roll out statewide — including Bayside — gradually through the next decade as services build capacity. Fees are due prior to the commencement of each term. Once enrolled, you will receive an invoice for the designated fee for your child/ren. Payment of fees is made directly to the pre-school via EFT.
Enrolment Fees
Black Rock Pre-School charges a Place Confirmation Fee. This is an annual fee, refundable under the requirements of Free Kindergarten, upon commencement of the kindergarten place (as confirmed through the Dept of Education’s Annual Confirmation Process). Historically, many families opt to contribute this amount to the kinder to assist with covering the cost of the enrolment process.
We ask that families donate this payment to support the kindergarten’s operations. Those seeking a refund of this fee can do so after their child commences in their kindergarten place. This fee is not refundable for those who decide not to take up their kindergarten place with Black Rock Pre-School or leave prior to the annual confirmation process is undertaken.
This income is used to provide the enrolment systems and support services to enable your child to enrol at BRPS. As a community run non-profit organisation, we are reliant on the place confirmation fee to provide an efficient service to you in the year before your child commences at the kindergarten.
Extended Care Fee
Since 2024, we have offered Extended KinderCare sessions to better support working families. There is an upfront term based fee for those who opt into this additional service. Children will be able to attend extended care on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4.00-5.30pm. Parents should opt into this additional option during the enrolment process, however, if vacancies exist, parents can sign up for this option at anytime throughout the year. Please refer to the Fee Policy for details of the current rates. Noting that a higher rate is payable for adhoc bookings into these sessions, subject to place availability.
Additional Day Fee
We currently offer a third day of kindergarten for children in the 4-year-old year level. The 3rd day is a fee for service option and families are required to apply into this as part of enrolment process.
There will be an upfront term based fee for those who opt into this additional day of care. For current fee details, please refer to the Fees Policy. Parents must opt into this additional day during the Council registrations process, however, if places become available throughout the year, those on the additional day waitlist will be advised directly by Council.
Family Involvement
The education of children is a collaborative process, and families are active participants. We ask that parents pay an Annual Family Contribution to help cover the costs associated with elevating the service provision to exceeding the National Standard.
Throughout the year, families are invited to:
Join the Committee of Management or a sub-committee
Attend the AGM/ Information night
Participate in social events during, and outside of, kinder hours
Provide feedback and provide input to reviews of policies and procedures
Families are encouraged to talk to the teachers, share skills and interests at the kinder and share celebrations at the kinder.
Family help within the Educational Programs
BRPS encourages family involvement in all areas of the educational programs.
This could include;
Education session helpers
Excursions
Beach Kinder program
Housekeeping requests
Volunteer Levies and other Fees / Charges
Under the Free Kindergarten funding, families are requested to voluntarily contribute a Maintenance Levy to assist with ensuring the kindergarten environment is maintained to a high standard to support your child’s education. This is a per family levy and we understand if some families are not in a position to contribute in this way.
Families are required to cover the cost of special incursions that supplement the routine educational program. In recent years, these additional incursions included the Fire Truck incursion, Seymour the Sea Plane incursion, the Dinosaurs & fossils incursion, the Wonderful World of Worms incursion, the Minibeast Safari incursion, Recycling Rules, Rhythm Culture drumming, Mini Monstars music and the visit from a Myuna Farm Mobile Ark. Without this financial contribution by families, we would not be able to host these incursions for the children.
From time to time, parents may be required to contribute additional Excursions Fees to attend once-off excursions that are an extension to the routine kindergarten program. This includes the end of year excursion for the 4 year old cohort.