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Dear Kindergarten staff and educators,

Over the coming weeks,  The Kindergarten IT Program team will begin introducing  Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for Microsoft 365 accounts, including Outlook email, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services.

This will be a staged rollout, with each centre being enabled individually over the coming weeks. Rolling MFA out in stages allows us to provide the best possible support to each centre and ensures any issues can be resolved quickly before moving on to the next group.

Why are we introducing Multi-Factor Authentication?

Cyber security threats continue to increase across all industries, including the education sector. Criminals are constantly looking for ways to gain access to email accounts and other online services so they can steal sensitive information, send fraudulent emails, or access confidential documents.

Passwords alone are no longer enough to protect your account. Even a strong password can be compromised through phishing emails, data breaches, or other cyber attacks.

Multi Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security by asking you to confirm your identity using a second method, such as an approval on your mobile phone, tablet. This means that even if someone discovers your password, they still won’t be able to access your account without your approval.

This additional protection helps keep unauthenticated users or the bad guys out of our systems and better protects the sensitive and private information stored at the Kindergarten or Early Childhood centre.

We understand this is a significant change

We recognise that this is a considerable change to the way you sign in to Microsoft 365, and for many staff it will be something completely new.

Our goal is to make the transition as straightforward as possible. We appreciate that everyone has different levels of confidence with technology, and we are committed to supporting you and your kindergarten throughout the process.

What happens next?

Before your kindergarten or early childhood centre is scheduled to receive MFA, you will receive further email communications explaining:

* When your centre’s rollout will occur.

* What you need to do.

* Step by step instructions for setting up MFA.

* Where to get help if you experience any difficulties.

We also have setup guides and frequently asked questions on our website, which you can refer to at any time at https://kindergarten.vic.gov.au/email/mfa/

We encourage all staff to read the upcoming communications carefully and complete the setup as soon as requested. Doing so will help ensure uninterrupted access to your Kindergarten IT Program email account and files stored within 365.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we implement this important security improvement.  By working together, we can better protect our kindergartens, our staff, and the sensitive information we manage every day.

If you have any questions relating to this or how it will work for your centre, please do not hesitate to contact the Kindergarten IT Program  Service Desk.

If you have not received your login information, please contact the Insight Assessment Platform helpdesk which provides IT helpdesk support for the Online TLDS. You can contact Insight Assessment Platform helpdesk Monday to Friday between 9 am to 5 pm by email to: insight@education.vic.gov.au

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.

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.

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.

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.