A centralised kindergarten system was introduced to Ballarat recently.
KINDERGARTEN enrolment is a “bit like being in the AFL draft for three and four-year-olds”, according to Ballarat City councillor Craig Fletcher.
But he also said a centralised kindergarten enrolment system would help ease the situation.
“It will allow us to get a handle on where children are,” Cr Fletcher said.
“It will give all children a good start and also help us facilitate supply into the future. If we have one central point, we will know what the demand is.”
A centralised system was introduced to Ballarat recently, with 82 per cent of local kindergartens now taking part, and another seven per cent sharing their data.
Parents have listed their top three kindergartens with the council’s enrolment system, with letters of acceptance sent out this week.
Previously, parents had to physically enrol their children at several different kindergartens to ensure they got a place in one.
Cr John Philips said:“I’m starting to wonder why this wasn’t done years ago.
“There’ll be no more biting your nails, sitting on the edge of your seat wondering how you are going to get your child into a kinder that is over-subscribed.”
Cr Judy Verlin said it had been many years since she had children of kindergarten age, but her grandchildren were now “on the circuit”.
“Two or three years ago, this was a significant issue for Ballarat,” Cr Verlin said. “People wouldn’t share their data bases.
“Now centres can plan with some surety for their enrolments. I hope everybody comes on board.”
The council’s manager family and children’s services Rosemarie Calvert said the first round of enrolment data will be available at the end of this month.
fiona.henderson@thecourier.com.au