What you need to know
Committed to supporting, coordinating, planning and delivering local early childhood services to meet the needs of families.
Moonee Valley is home to around 11,000 children under the age of 8 years. Council is working to enhance positive outcomes for our children and offers a range of early years services for children from birth to 8 years and their parents. These include childcare, preschool, maternal and child health, family support services and a range of programs and activities for children at our libraries, leisure, recreation, arts and community centres.
In addition, Moonee Valley has a large selection of community and privately run childcare centres, playgroups and preschools as well as primary schools.
Kindergarten
All children aged four years by 30 April in the year prior to attending school are encouraged to attend a year of kindergarten. Qualified early childhood educators provide play-based education programs that improve children’s health and wellbeing, help them to develop strong social skills and encourages a love of learning. Children gain skills and knowledge to support their transition to school and lifelong learning.
Some kindergartens also offer three-year-old programs and the Victorian government now funds Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. Kindergarten programs are run in sessional kindergartens and long day care centres.
Funded by the State Government, options include Council, community, privately operated and long day care. Council manages and coordinates a Central Registration Service portal that allocates places across Moonee Valley for fourteen Council operated and managed kindergartens plus five more. You can find virtual tours of these kindergartens on our website.
Maternal and Child Health
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service is for children up to six years of age and their families, provided by qualified MCH nurses.
The free service includes child health and development assessments at key ages and stages, maternal wellbeing reviews and parenting advice informed by evidence.
A wide range of support services are available including breastfeeding, sleep and settling, and an enhanced home visiting program.
All new parents are welcome to participate in new parent group programs offering health and parenting information and friendship with local families.
Immunisation
Council provides a free childhood immunisation program administered by fully accredited and experienced nursing staff.
Long day care
Long day care is provided on a permanent basis either full or part-time and some centres also provide a funded four-year-old preschool program. Options include Council, community and commercial.
Occasional care
Occasional care is provided on a casual basis for up to 15 hours per week. Options include Council, community and local recreational centres.
Family Services
Family Services provide support, advice, information and referral for children from birth to 17 years and their families. We work with families to enhance education, health and wellbeing outcomes for children, supporting parents to set goals and take action to do more things that make life easier and change things that make life tough.
Playgroups
Community Playgroups are for newborns to 5 years who attend with a parent, carer or grandparent for around two hours per week during school terms. Playgroups have time for free, open-ended play, craft activities and celebrations. Playgroups allow parents to meet other parents – to form friends and to gain mutual support and advice.
Supported Playgroups are a safe and friendly place for you and your child (from birth to 5 years) to have fun, learn and play while sharing parenting tips and support. Sessions are free to attend and run weekly during school terms by an early years professional. In-home support is also available to eligible families.
Toy Libraries
Toy Libraries provide local families with a range of quality fun and educational toys, games, puzzles and activities to borrow or hire for a minimal fee.