How to Enrol

Enrolling your child at Elwood Children’s Centre

To be offered a place at The Elwood Children’s Centre you must first be registered with the City Of Port Phillip’s centralised waitlist. For more information

Register for early childhood education and care

or call The City of Port Phillip council on 03 9209 6360.

We also recommend you contact us on 03 7015 3265 or office@elwoodchildrenscentre.org.au to setup a time to come and experience the centre first hand.

Helpful Tips:

  • The earliest date that a child can be registered on the waiting list is when you are 12 weeks pregnant. Once the child is born you will need to contact the City of Port Phillip to complete your child’s details (i.e. date of birth and name).

  • Ensure your child is up to date with their immunisations. The Victorian Government has passed new immunisation legislation named ‘No Jab, No Play’, which took effect on 1 January 2016. All children seeking enrolment at The Elwood Children’s Centre must be fully immunised. To find out more visit the “No Jab, No Play” page on the Health Department’s website.

  • There are two periods when vacancies occur - either at the beginning of each year (generally the enrolment process for the new year begins in early August of the previous year), or when vacancies arise throughout the year.

  • Where possible, be flexible and take any day offered. Once you are at the centre there may become opportunities for you to switch days or pickup more.

  • Preference is given to existing families before days are offered to those on the centralised waitlist.

  • Upon being offered a place, families will be given 1 day to accept and will then be required to pay a $200 deposit to secure their child's place at the centre.

  • Parents that meet the criteria for Government rebates will be required to provide the primary caregivers Centrelink - Customer Reference Number (CRN) and date of birth , as well as the child's CRN and date of birth. Having this prior to your child starting will help ensure your rebate is processed on time.

  • To be eligible for the Child Care Rebate (CCR) you will need to submit a claim for the Child Care Benefit (CCB) through MyGov.gov.au.

  • Families are required to give at least 4 weeks written notice of their intention to end their child’s enrolment or to reduce their child’s days of attendance at The Elwood Children’s Centre.