Australian Capital Territory: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as preschools or early learning centres
• are for children who turn four years old by 1 May in the year before starting school
• are mostly government owned and run
• operate close to, or on, school sites. In newer areas, preschools are often run next to child care centres
• have no fees, but usually have a voluntary contribution levy.

For more information, visit ACT Government – Preschool matters.

New South Wales: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as preschools
• are for children who turn four years old before 1 August in the year before starting school
• mostly operate as stand-alone services – for example, as community preschools or services delivered by non-state schools – or as preschool programs in long day care or early learning centres
• might be offered as school-based programs attached to government-run primary schools
• usually charge fees, which are set by providers
• sometimes offer flexible hours for working parents.

For more information, visit NSW Department of Education – Starting preschool.

Northern Territory: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as preschools
• are normally for children who turn four years old in the year before starting school, although there are exceptions for children who live in very remote areas
• are mostly attached to schools
• are mostly government owned and run
• have no fees
• sometimes offer flexible hours for working parents
• might offer bus services in some areas.

For more information, visit NT Government – About child care services.

Queensland: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as kindergartens
• are for children who turn four years old by 30 June in the year before starting school
• operate as either stand-alone services, or in long day care centres run by community organisations or non-government schools
• mostly operate close to, or on, school sites
• have fees, which are set by providers
• offer some remote and distance education services.

For more information, visit Queensland Government – About approved kindergarten programs.

South Australia: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as preschools, kindergartens, early learning centres or centres for early childhood development and parenting
• are for children who turn four before 1 May in the year before starting school
• are mostly government owned and run but can be run by community or private organisations
• can be stand-alone services or located in schools or alongside other early learning services
• have no fees when they are government owned, but some ask for a voluntary contribution levy
• offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children access to preschool from three years of age.

For more information, visit SA Government – Preschool and kindergarten services.

Tasmania: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as kindergartens
• are for children who turn four years old before or on 1 January in the year before starting school
• are mostly government owned and run
• have no fees
• are located in schools and linked to the school system.

For more information, visit Tasmanian Department of Education – Kindergarten.

Victoria: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as preschools, kindergartens or preschool programs in long day care centres
• are for children who turn four years old before or on 30 April in the year before starting school
• are mostly run as stand-alone centres
• have fees
• are often managed by parent committees
• are offered as mobile services in remote areas.

For more information, visit Victorian Department of Education and Training – Kindergarten programs.

Western Australia: preschool services

Preschools:

• are known as kindergartens
• are for children who turn four years old before or on 30 June in the year before starting school
• are mostly government owned and run
• operate within schools and in the community
• offer bus services
• have no fees.