Preschool in your state

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What we call preschool

• Groups programs for children of three and four years of age that are sessional and part-time.
• Participation in preschool is by parental choice.
• Preschool is not a pre-year one program (for children aged five and six years - called kindergarten, preparatory, reception, or pre-primary across the different states).
• Sponsored by state or education departments, community organisations and as part of private or community-based child care centres.

Australian Capital Territory

• Known as preschool.
• Operated close to or on school sites, and in newer areas next to child care centres.
• No fees, with a voluntary contribution levy.

New South Wales

• Known as preschool.
• Most are independent with fees of about $60 per week.
• The Department of Education runs some school-based preschools which have no fees.
• Flexible hours offered for working parents at some preschools.

Northern Territory

• Known as preschool.
• Run by the Department of Employment, Education and Training.
• No fees.
• Flexibility in hours for working parents.
• Buses to preschool provided.

Queensland

• Was known as preschool, but this is now being changed to Preparation for School Years, or ‘prep’.
• No fees in prep.
• Prep is part of primary school and is run by the Department of Education.
• A small number of preschools are not attached to schools; these are fee-based.

South Australia

• Known as child parent centres or kindergarten.
• Child parent centres operate within schools, kindergartens operate independently.
• No fees but some kindergartens ask for a voluntary contribution levy.
• Opportunity for Indigenous children to access extra hours.

Tasmania

• Known as kindergarten.
• No fees.
• Linked to school system.

Victoria

• Known as preschool and kindergarten.
• Overwhelmingly run as stand-alone centres.
• Fees charged.
• Managed by parent committees.
• Some preschool programs are offered in long-day care centres but may not be run by a qualified teacher.
• Mobile preschools in remote areas.
• No formal links to school and no formal transition-to-school programs.

Western Australia

• Known as kindergarten.
• Operated within schools, day care centres and as independent centres. 
• Bus services offered.
• No fees.

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