Community
28 February, 2026
Increased demand means more kinder spots in St Arnaud
Pre-prep participants will have access to 19.5 funded hours a week, while the three-year-old program involves 15 funded hours a week.
THE KINDER year is in full swing in St Arnaud, with Northern Grampians Shire Council introducing an additional service in 2026 due to an increasing demand for placements.
St Arnaud Early Learning Centre has added an integrated kindergarten program and will deliver 6.5-hour mixed rotational sessions for Pre-prep (formerly four-year-old kindergarten) and three-year-old kindergarten.
Pre-prep participants will have access to 19.5 funded hours a week, while the three-year-old program involves 15 funded hours a week.
St Arnaud Kindergarten has also hit the ground running, continuing its standalone pre-prep and three-year-old programs in 2026.
These programs involve the same hours and mixed aged groups as the early learning centre’s integrated program.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said she was pleased to see council meet the additional demand for kindergarten placements.
“In 2025, St Arnaud had 59 students enrolled in three and four-year-old programs in 2025, with that number jumping to 71 in 2026,” she said.
“Many parents also require care outside of kinder hours, so an integrated program enables their child to be looked after before and-or after kinder sessions.
“Many towns have centres that offer both long day care and kindergarten services, so being able to deliver this in St Arnaud is a great win for families.”
St Arnaud Kindergarten’s standalone program is full, offering two separate classes in 2026, after it moved to a new home last year.
People can visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Community/Family-and-Childrens-Services/Kindergarten for more information about council-run kindergarten services in St Arnaud and Stawell.
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