The state government announced funding for Prep teachers to visit four-year-old kindergartens in term four, to replace the usual visits of kindergarten children to their chosen primary schools.

Uniting early learning manager south west Victoria Paula Clarke said the transition to school would look different this year, but there would still be opportunities for children to engage with their Prep teachers in preparation for 2021.

Uniting operates four early learning centres across Ballarat in Alfredton, Cardigan Village, Buninyong and Lake Wendouree.

Kindergartens in regional Victoria have remained operating as an essential service throughout COVID-19 lockdowns, but Ms Clarke said majority of families decided to remain at home during the first lockdown.

"We provided links to some of our online programs that families could access if they chose that particular option," she said.

"We found by the end of term three majority of our families had returned to kindergarten."

Ms Clarke said despite a disruptive year, children had shown a great level of resilience.

"We have had to change some of our procedures and protocols at our kinder environments," she said.

"The arrival and departure routine is quite different now with temperature screening. We are not encouraging visitors into the children's room and that includes families at the moment.

"Anecdotally some of the discussions with the teaching staff is this has helped to increase some of the children's independence skills."

Ms Clarke said while families would normally come into the kindergarten and help the children unpack their lunchboxes and prepare for the day, children were now developing skills in independence.

"The children are now hanging their bag up and giving their lunch box to the staff to pop in the refrigerator and things like that. They are still developing new skills as well," she said.

Ms Clarke said it would be interesting to see how children had developed in term four, particularly given the reduced social interactions for those who did not attend kindergarten during lockdowns.

"Term four will become quite interesting to see how children are continuing in their development," she said.

"Teachers will prepare their documentation to provide to families and then on to the school about how the children are presenting in term four ready for that primary school transition."

The number of visitors to early learning centres continue to be restricted leading into term four, meaning incursions and photography sessions have not run since COVID-19 hit.

Ms Clarke said some parents had raised concerns about this and the early learning sector was continuing to engage in discussions with the state government about restrictions.

"When we have any updates we will review that at that time," she said.

The Victorian government has announced it would give around 5300 vulnerable children up to five extra hours per week of kinder in term four.

Community-based, local government and school providers offering sessional programs will also be eligible for about $500 per enrolment to provide children with access to a free 15-hour program each week.

The funding will also provide professional learning for early childhood and school staff and support to develop tools for Prep teachers to support play-based learning for children at the beginning of 2021.

The state government will also provide extra cleaning grants to early childhood services.

Victorian education minister James Merlino said: 'the evidence shows that it's best for children to stay in their peer age group and our schools stand ready to welcome children to prep in 2021'.

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