Centralised Kindergarten Registration

Centralised Kindergarten Registration & Enrolment Scheme (CRES)

The City of Greater Bendigo’s Central Registration & Enrolment Service (CRES) is a free service designed to help families register for kindergarten. We partner with local kindergartens to make the enrolment process simple and supportive for our community.

City of Greater Bendigo’s Central Registration & Enrolment Service (CRES) provides a single point of contact for families to apply to multiple kindergarten services within the City of Greater Bendigo, helping ensure children are placed in a program that best meets their needs.

Allocations are based on family preferences and guided by priority of access criteria to ensure a fair and equitable process.

One simple process

Register Online – Fill out a registration form online.

Wait for your offer – You will receive updates by email.  We will also send you an email when your child is offered a kindergarten place.

Accept your offer – The letter of offer will detail how you need to do this.  If you do not accept it by the specified time, the offer will expire and you may lose your place at your preferred kindergarten.
*If you are not offered a place at your first preferred service, you may join a waitlist. To access waitlists, you must first accept your current offer.

Complete enrolment with kindergarten - Once the kindergarten receives your accepted offer, they’ll contact you directly to complete the enrolment process.

You can update your preferences at any time through the online portal. You will be sent updates by email.

Choosing the right kindergarten program for your family

Standalone kindergartens only run during their scheduled program times. They choose their own days and hours and are usually closed during school holidays. These are often called sessional kindergartens.

Long day care centres offer kindergarten programs alongside extended hours of care. These additional hours often include meals, as well as extra educational and recreational activities for your child.

Kindergarten Open Days

Kindergarten Open Days for 2026
Assisi KindergartenTuesday 5th May 2026 - 5pm to 6pm
Bendigo PreschoolTuesday 7th Juy 2026 - 4.30pm to 5.30pm
You can also contact the kindergarten directly to arrange a tour
BDAC dyimbaya kindergartenPlease contact Kindergarten directly to arrange a tour
Dr Harry Little PreschoolPlease contact Preschool directly to arrange a tour
Eaglehawk PreschoolPlease contact Preschool directly to arrange a tour
Havilah Road PreschoolWednesday 20th May - 3pm to 4.30pm
North Bendigo PreschoolFriday 22nd May - 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Shine Bright Axedale KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Elmore KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Epsom KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Flora Hill KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Heathcote KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Helm Street KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Huntly KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Kangaroo Flat KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Kennington KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Marong KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Neale Street North KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Neangar KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Spring Gully KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright St Aidans Road KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Strathfieldsaye KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Shine Bright White Hills KindergartenWednesday 20th May - 9am to 11.30am
Marrungi Wayaparra - Y MarongFriday 22nd May 10am to 11.30am
Kinder in Long Day CentresPlease contact centre directly to arrange a tour

Would you like assistance with your Kindergarten application?

Drop in sessions only - no appointment required
Bendigo library259 Hargreaves Street, BendigoThursday 16th April 10am to 12pm
Epsom Maternal & Child Health6-8 Strickland Street, EpsomMonday 4th May 9.30am to 11.30am
Wednesday 10th June 9.30am to 11.30am
Gurri Wanyarra9 Browning Street, Kangaroo FlatTuesday 21st April 9.30am to 11.30am
Tuesday 19th May 9.30am to 11.30am
Havilah Road Kindergarten22-24 Havilah Road, Long GullyThursday 28th May 9.30am - 11.30am
Kangaroo Flat Community House21 Woolcock Ave, BendigoWednesday 27th May 9.30am to 11.30am
Lightning Reef Early Learning Centre74-88 Holmes Road Long GullyWednesday 6th May 9.30am to 11.30am
Long Gully Neighbourhood House52-54 Derwent Drive, BendigoWednesday 22nd April 10am - 12pm
Shine Bright Helm Street Kindergarten13 Helm Street, Kangaroo FlatThursday 14th May 9.30am to 11.30am
Shine Bright Huntly Kindergarten21 Stephenson Street, HuntlyThursday 30th April 9.30am - 11.30am

Please ensure you bring the following documents to complete the application process

  • Proof of identity: your child’s birth certificate, birth notice or passport
  • Copy of immunisation statement
  • Concession cards and immigration visas (where applicable)
  • Documents from Family Support Services or a Maternal and Child Health nurse confirming high support needs and/or disability or letter from a doctor for complex medical needs (where applicable).

Kindergartens participating in the City of Greater Bendigo CRES

Sessional Kindergartens
Kindergarten in long day care centres

Key Dates

April

Registrations Open.

30th June

Registrations close for first round offers.

Start to mid July

First round offers sent to families that meet DE’s Priority of Access Guidelines.

Mid to late September

Second round offers sent to families.

From October

Subsequent offers.

Late applications will be accepted and processed in the order received, following the priority of access guidelines.

When to start kindergarten

If your child was:Year eligible for 3 year oldYear eligible for 4 year old
Born before 30 April 202320262027
Born before 30 April 202420272028
Born before 30 April 202520282029

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I update details in my application

Please email [email protected] to make any changes to your application, including updating contact details.

Does my child need to be immunised?

Under the ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation that came into force on 1 January 2016, children are required to be fully vaccinated for their age before they can be enrolled in any kindergarten program.

Documentation is required by your child’s kindergarten confirming that your child is:

  • fully vaccinated
  • is on a catch-up program
  • is unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons.

for more information visit Department of Health - No Jab No Play

or visit Families arriving from overseas - immunisation

What if I am late to register my child for kindergarten?

Registrations are open between April and June. You can still register after this but registering in the first round gives you the best chance of getting a place in your preferred kindergarten.

Is my registration information safe?

Yes. Registration information is kept in a safe and private database.

If you accept a kindergarten place, we will give the kindergarten your contact information. Kindergartens must also keep information safe and follow strict privacy laws.

How are kindergarten places given out?

When giving out places, City of Greater Bendigo Central Registration Enrolment Service prioritises places for children most in need. We ask for information at registration to decide if your child should have priority. For more information about priority criteria and how places are given out, see the Department of Education Priority of Access Guidelines and City of Greater Bendigo Priority of Access Guidelines.

For children who do not meet priority criteria, a random ballot is used to give each child their highest available preference. There is no ‘first in, first served’ rule.

What happens after I accept a kindergarten place?

When you accept a kindergarten place, we will give the kindergarten a copy of your registration information.

They contact you to enrol your child. The kindergarten will ask for more information about your child to help make kindergarten a safe and healthy environment for them to learn.