Latest News
Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025. The theme for this month is Building our cyber safe culture.
Department of Home Affairs encourages these 3 key actions:
- Install software updates to keep your devices secure.
- Use a unique and strong passphrase on every account.
- Always set up multi-factor authentication.
Cyber Security Awareness Month | Act Now. Stay Secure.
New Digital Safety webinars for Term Four
During October and November we are offering Digital Security sessions to assist kindergarten staff and volunteers to keep informed of Cyber Security and technology concerns. Our latest webinar, Digital Safety – Child Safe Practices & Personal Electronic Devices introduces the updated requirements for recording technology and use of personal devices at approved services.
Digital Safety – Child Safe Practices & Personal Electronic Devices
This Digital Safety session introduces to kindergarten staff and volunteers the Department of Education’s updated restrictions and requirements regarding digital technologies and personal electronic devices that now apply in Victoria.
Session Outline
-
-
- Welcome and Introduction
- Statement of Regulatory Expectations – National Model Code (SRE-NMC)
- Compliance and guidelines for Providers
- Your Service’s Updated Policies
- Personal devices and service issued devices
- Who do the restrictions apply to and when
- When staff can use personal devices
- What are the ‘essential purposes’ exceptions
- Records and documentation
- Arrival implementation
- Ongoing steps
-
You can view the schedule and book a webinar session on our training page.
Child safe practices for digital technologies and personal electronic devices
As of 1 September, all approved providers must have ensured their services have updated policies and procedures for the safe use of digital technologies and online environments.
Kindergarten staff and volunteers can find updated information on complying here: Child safe practices for digital technologies and personal electronic devices.
ACECQA also provides updated guidelines for Policy Guidelines Safe Use Of Digital Tech Online.
We will be offering Digital Safety webinars to help inform your staff and committee volunteers of the new compliance in 4th Term.
Apply for an Information Technology grant!
2025 Building Blocks Improvement Grants have been announced as now open.
Information Technology is included as a category of grant available for investment in IT equipment for not-for-profit funded organisations offering a free 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten program.
Applications for Information Technology grants close on Monday 29 September 2025 at 11.59 pm.
Find out more and book into application information sessions here
Building Blocks Grants – Improvement | schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au
All the equipment options we supply are suitable for funding.
Refer to our new Hardware Quote Request section for current PC models and to request a quote.
Online TLDS 2025
The Online Transition Learning and Development Statement (Online TLDS) tool reopened now.
If you are a teacher who will be using the Online TLDS for the first time, our 15-minute video will get you started. View the video from our Online TLDS information and support page here: https://kindergarten.vic.gov.au/tlds/#videos
For educators who made use of the Online TLDS previously, a review of our video should be enough to get you back up-to-speed as there are no big changes to report.
If you still feel you need further training after reviewing the video, refer to our introduction webinar information and resources for the Online TLDS here: https://kindergarten.vic.gov.au/tlds/
Important information for kindergartens using ADP for payroll
Important information for kindergartens using ADP for payroll in relation to the VECTEA Pay Rate Increase Update.
Double Pay Run – Key Dates & Instructions for ADP Payroll Customers
To support the application of VECTEA pay rate increases, ADP will be running a double pay run process:
Process 1 – Before Rate Increases
- Submission window: Wednesday 2 July to Thursday 3 July
- Deadline: Must be closed by Thursday 3 July at 4:30pm
- Note: This pay run will be processed under current pay rates (before VECTEA increases)
Process 2 – With Rate Increases
- Submission window: Friday 4 July or Monday 7 July
- Note: This pay run will be processed using the new VECTEA pay rates
Please ensure your service is aware of these dates and submits accordingly. ADP Clients can raise any questions through their MyADP portal.
Authorised technology contact details update
The Kindergarten IT Program relies on clusters and kindergartens to notify us of who can request our services on their behalf. We are currently reaching out to both group employers and independent services to designate or update their authorised technology contacts.
If your service receives an email from us requesting approved contacts and links to a unique form, We recommend cluster managers, directors or lead teachers complete the form. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss who the appropriate staff member is to complete the form.
eSafety Commissioner’s Professional learning for teachers webinars
The eSafety Commissioner’s site, www.esafety.gov.au, has eSafety Early Years professional learning modules specifically for early childhood.
Additionally, to expand on important security topics and new issues, webinars for all sectors of education continue throughout the year along with self-paced online modules for lower primary teachers including foundation.
Review the June and July options here: Professional learning for teachers.
New Tip – Signing into your Microsoft Account
The most common way to sign into your Mircosoft account is to enter a password. However sign-in can require additional identification methods to keep your account safe.
Learn how to add sign-in methods with our Tip – Signing into your Microsoft Account.
New Tip – Remember to update apps from the Microsoft Store
On a Windows computer, it is best to install applications from the Microsoft Store. This way you can update all your installed apps at once from your Microsoft Store library.
Click here to read the Tip – Remember to update apps from the Microsoft Store.
New Tip – Get started with an Authentication App
Two-factor authentication is now a requirement for many web accounts and services, such as receiving a confirmation code via text or email when online banking.
Authenticator Apps can do the same verification step as a text or email but is more secure, faster and reliable.
View it here Tip – Get started with an Authentication App
Training webinars for Term One 2025
Now available for enrolment
We are offering shorter format Digital Safety webinars to support key priorities of the National Plan to Combat Cybercrime.
The webinars offered:
Digital Safety – Email
Digital Safety – Password Managers
Digital Safety – Security Updates
Digital Safety – Antivirus & Anti-malware
You can view the schedule and book a webinar session on our training page.
Information technology support is provided by the State Library Victoria, Community IT Support Team
Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm
| Phone: 03 8664 7001 | Toll Free: 1800 629 835 |
| General Enquiries Email: info@kindergarten.vic.gov.au | Technical Support Email: support@kindergarten.vic.gov.au |
Welcome to the
Kindergarten IT Program
Latest News
Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025. The theme for this month is Building our cyber safe culture.
Department of Home Affairs encourages these 3 key actions:
- Install software updates to keep your devices secure.
- Use a unique and strong passphrase on every account.
- Always set up multi-factor authentication.
Cyber Security Awareness Month | Act Now. Stay Secure.
New Digital Safety webinars for Term Four
During October and November we are offering Digital Security sessions to assist kindergarten staff and volunteers to keep informed of Cyber Security and technology concerns. Our latest webinar, Digital Safety – Child Safe Practices & Personal Electronic Devices introduces the updated requirements for recording technology and use of personal devices at approved services.
Digital Safety – Child Safe Practices & Personal Electronic Devices
This Digital Safety session introduces to kindergarten staff and volunteers the Department of Education’s updated restrictions and requirements regarding digital technologies and personal electronic devices that now apply in Victoria.
Session Outline
-
-
- Welcome and Introduction
- Statement of Regulatory Expectations – National Model Code (SRE-NMC)
- Compliance and guidelines for Providers
- Your Service’s Updated Policies
- Personal devices and service issued devices
- Who do the restrictions apply to and when
- When staff can use personal devices
- What are the ‘essential purposes’ exceptions
- Records and documentation
- Arrival implementation
- Ongoing steps
-
You can view the schedule and book a webinar session on our training page.
Child safe practices for digital technologies and personal electronic devices
As of 1 September, all approved providers must have ensured their services have updated policies and procedures for the safe use of digital technologies and online environments.
Kindergarten staff and volunteers can find updated information on complying here: Child safe practices for digital technologies and personal electronic devices.
ACECQA also provides updated guidelines for Policy Guidelines Safe Use Of Digital Tech Online.
We will be offering Digital Safety webinars to help inform your staff and committee volunteers of the new compliance in 4th Term.
Apply for an Information Technology grant!
2025 Building Blocks Improvement Grants have been announced as now open.
Information Technology is included as a category of grant available for investment in IT equipment for not-for-profit funded organisations offering a free 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten program.
Applications for Information Technology grants close on Monday 29 September 2025 at 11.59 pm.
Find out more and book into application information sessions here
Building Blocks Grants – Improvement | schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au
All the equipment options we supply are suitable for funding.
Refer to our new Hardware Quote Request section for current PC models and to request a quote.
Online TLDS 2025
The Online Transition Learning and Development Statement (Online TLDS) tool reopened now.
If you are a teacher who will be using the Online TLDS for the first time, our 15-minute video will get you started. View the video from our Online TLDS information and support page here: https://kindergarten.vic.gov.au/tlds/#videos
For educators who made use of the Online TLDS previously, a review of our video should be enough to get you back up-to-speed as there are no big changes to report.
If you still feel you need further training after reviewing the video, refer to our introduction webinar information and resources for the Online TLDS here: https://kindergarten.vic.gov.au/tlds/
Important information for kindergartens using ADP for payroll
Important information for kindergartens using ADP for payroll in relation to the VECTEA Pay Rate Increase Update.
Double Pay Run – Key Dates & Instructions for ADP Payroll Customers
To support the application of VECTEA pay rate increases, ADP will be running a double pay run process:
Process 1 – Before Rate Increases
- Submission window: Wednesday 2 July to Thursday 3 July
- Deadline: Must be closed by Thursday 3 July at 4:30pm
- Note: This pay run will be processed under current pay rates (before VECTEA increases)
Process 2 – With Rate Increases
- Submission window: Friday 4 July or Monday 7 July
- Note: This pay run will be processed using the new VECTEA pay rates
Please ensure your service is aware of these dates and submits accordingly. ADP Clients can raise any questions through their MyADP portal.
Authorised technology contact details update
The Kindergarten IT Program relies on clusters and kindergartens to notify us of who can request our services on their behalf. We are currently reaching out to both group employers and independent services to designate or update their authorised technology contacts.
If your service receives an email from us requesting approved contacts and links to a unique form, We recommend cluster managers, directors or lead teachers complete the form. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss who the appropriate staff member is to complete the form.
eSafety Commissioner’s Professional learning for teachers webinars
The eSafety Commissioner’s site, www.esafety.gov.au, has eSafety Early Years professional learning modules specifically for early childhood.
Additionally, to expand on important security topics and new issues, webinars for all sectors of education continue throughout the year along with self-paced online modules for lower primary teachers including foundation.
Review the June and July options here: Professional learning for teachers.
New Tip – Signing into your Microsoft Account
The most common way to sign into your Mircosoft account is to enter a password. However sign-in can require additional identification methods to keep your account safe.
Learn how to add sign-in methods with our Tip – Signing into your Microsoft Account.
New Tip – Remember to update apps from the Microsoft Store
On a Windows computer, it is best to install applications from the Microsoft Store. This way you can update all your installed apps at once from your Microsoft Store library.
Click here to read the Tip – Remember to update apps from the Microsoft Store.
New Tip – Get started with an Authentication App
Two-factor authentication is now a requirement for many web accounts and services, such as receiving a confirmation code via text or email when online banking.
Authenticator Apps can do the same verification step as a text or email but is more secure, faster and reliable.
View it here Tip – Get started with an Authentication App
Training webinars for Term One 2025
Now available for enrolment
We are offering shorter format Digital Safety webinars to support key priorities of the National Plan to Combat Cybercrime.
The webinars offered:
Digital Safety – Email
Digital Safety – Password Managers
Digital Safety – Security Updates
Digital Safety – Antivirus & Anti-malware
You can view the schedule and book a webinar session on our training page.
Information technology support is provided by the State Library Victoria, Community IT Support Team
Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm
Phone: 03 8664 7001
Toll Free: 1800 629 835
General Enquiries Email: info@kindergarten.vic.gov.au
Technical Support Email: support@kindergarten.vic.gov.au