Kingston Council cancels sessional kinder for 2026 at Carrum Family and Children’s Centre
Kingston families say getting a coveted sessional kinder spot is “like a bloodbath” and that was before the local council cancelled the option at a popular centre.
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A shock decision to cancel free, sessional kinder in a bayside suburb brimming with young families has “blindsided” parents.
Kingston Council told parents on Monday that the only sessional kinder in Carrum for preschoolers would no longer run in 2026.
Instead families could either switch to a long day option for three and four-year-olds at Carrum Family and Children’s Centre or apply for a sessional spot at another Kingston service.
The change was announced just days before online kindergarten enrolments opened.
A letter from the council to parents explained the decision was a response to the State Government’s kindergarten reforms and a “steady decline in demand” for sessional kinder in Kingston.
“We acknowledge the inconvenience and disruption for families hoping to commence or continue in 2026 and understand they will be disappointed with this decision,” the letter states.
The council later told the Herald Sun parents could stay at Carrum via an extended day kindergarten program, or register for a sessional kinder program at nearby Bonbeach or Patterson Lakes services.
“Demand for sessional 4-year-old kinder has fallen across the combined Carrum/Bonbeach/Patterson Lakes catchment and it is essential our services reflect the changing needs of our community,” the council said.
But parents say sessional kinder spots at the Carrum centre were sought after and removing the free option would put pressure on limited places at other Kingston centres.
“Getting into a sessional kinder in this area is a bloodbath, there is no way demand has declined!” one angry mum posted on social media.
Another parent said the disappointing decision would led to more out of pocket expenses for families during a cost of living crisis.
Carrum mum Lauren Kalfoglou said parents had not been consulted or given any indication the closure was being considered.
“The lack of transparency and abrupt timing has left parents feeling blindsided and deeply disappointed,” she said.
Ms Kalfoglou has started an online petition calling for Kingston council to pause the decision to end the service and consult current and prospective families to assess demand.
“While the proposed extended day kindergarten model may benefit some, it is not a substitute for sessional kinder,” he petition states.
“Longer hours and higher daily fees do not meet the needs of all families and remove the flexibility that many rely on.”
Sessional kinder for children aged three and four is fully funded by the state government.
Families choosing to use long day care for their children receive an offset to the fees they pay for the childcare service.