About 902 students are enrolled into Shine Bright centres for three and four-year-old kinder in 2020. That is down from the 993 students this year and 1024 children in 2018.

Shine Bright chief executive Suzi Sordan said the organisation would continue accepting enrolments over the coming months.

"I think the main reason for the decrease is that there are more and more private long daycare competitors within the region," she said.

"They are meeting the family needs because of the hours they are able to provide. We run a few extended programs but we get no financial support from government to do that."

Shine Bright runs 15 centres across the Bendigo region, including sites in Kennington, Huntly, Strathfieldsaye, and Epsom. They also run eight centres in the Campaspe region and five sites in Swan Hill.

Read more: Bendigo kindergartens could see space strain with incoming three-year-old program

Ms Sordan said the organisation had plans in place to boost enrolment numbers.

"We're advertising via social media because that is where we can target our audience in the best way," she said.

"We've been involved in the community fun days and in NAIDOC week to show our involvement in the community.

"We're constantly reviewing our models to ensure we're staying relevant and meeting family needs. We will continue to do that."

The Victorian government has funded five hours of three-year-old kinder for all children that will be rolled out by 2022 across the state.

The program will begin in 2021 for Central Goldfields, Campaspe, and Loddon. Bendigo, Mount Alexander, and Macedon Ranges will receive the program in 2022.

Ms Sordan said Shine Bright was expecting to see an increase in demand.

"We can absorb a number of hours in our current infrastructure but we are working with business owners, which is predominantly the City of Greater Bendigo, about redeveloping and expanding our current facilities," she said.

"The Department of Education and Training did commission Ernest and Young to undertake capacity analysis for infrastructure and workers.

"We are yet to hear back from that, but it will influence planning."

Ms Sordan said there was also a need for more early childhood educators and teachers.

"There has been a significant campaign at the Department of Education and Training since September," she said.

"They have been trying to recruit teachers in the industry because it is anticipated we will need to double what we have with the upcoming changes.

"There are a number of initiatives, scholarships and subsidies for students in the early years sector.

"As an organisation, we have been partnered with La Trobe University as part of a student placement program and we are working on developing our work force."

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