Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
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Preschool in your state

By Raising Children Network
 
 
Each Australian state has a different approach to preschool and the names of services vary from state to state.

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.
 
  • Last reviewed08-05-2006