Preschools: things to consider when choosing a preschool

Things to consider when choosing preschools

Preschool and kindergarten services vary across states and territories. For example, you might be able to choose preschool services at community-based centres, child care centres, public schools or private schools.

When you’re choosing a preschool, it’s good to think about how the preschool might suit your child’s strengths, needs, interests and temperament.

It also helps to consider:

whether the preschool is inclusive of your family and cultural values
how the preschool meets your family’s practical needs
whether the preschool offers a high-quality environment
whether the preschool offers the type of educational program you want for your child
how the preschool interacts and connects with children, families and the community.

The questions below can help.

Preschools help children learn, and all preschools should provide high-quality early learning that’s play based, inclusive and focused on meeting the strengths, needs and interests of each child. You can go to Starting Blocks to see the quality ratings of preschools in your area. This can help you to choose a high-quality preschool service for your child.

Family and cultural values

If a preschool includes and respects your family and cultural values, this can help your child feel safe, happy, accepted and valued.

These questions can help you work out whether a preschool is inclusive:

Does the preschool have picture books, musical instruments, toys and other learning materials and resources from diverse cultures?
Does the preschool have books, posters and other resources that reflect your family’s parenting arrangements, whether you’re raising children as a blended family, co-parenting family, single-parent family, LGBTIQ+ family and so on?
If your family speaks a language other than English, can the preschool provide education or resources in your heritage language? Or can it provide bilingual education or resources?
Does the preschool recognise and celebrate cultural events like Lunar New Year, Diwali and NAIDOC week?
Can the preschool accommodate cultural, religious or spiritual practices that are important to your family – for example, dietary restrictions?

Practical considerations

Most families need to consider whether a preschool is a practical choice:

Is there a waiting list? If so, how long will your child have to wait to be offered a place?
Do the program times and hours suit your family and work arrangements?
Is the program free or subsidised? What, if any, are the out-of-pocket costs and can you afford them?
Is the location convenient, and can you get your child there easily?
How big is the preschool? Will bigger or smaller class sizes suit your child?
If your child goes to a child care service, do you want them to go to a preschool at the same service, if this is possible?
Do you want your child to go to a preschool that’s part of the primary school they’ll later attend, if this is possible?
If you have other children, is it important that all your children go to the same preschool, or that the preschool is close to or part of your other children’s schools?
Where are your child’s friends going to preschool?

Preschool environment

The preschool environment can have a big influence on your child’s development, learning and wellbeing.

These questions can help you consider whether the preschool offers a high-quality environment:

Is the preschool in a good location? For example, is it on a quiet street with good air quality?
Is the noise level OK? For example, is it in a place with low traffic and pedestrian noise?
Do the rooms look pleasant and welcoming? Are there plenty of toys, books, puzzles, games, sensory and creative materials and so on in good working order that children can reach easily?
Are there high-quality outdoor areas? For example, are there large, well-maintained areas with grass, plants and trees? Are there natural materials for children to use and explore?
If your child has additional needs, is the environment accessible for them? For example, are the walkways and toilets wide enough for children who use wheelchairs? Are there quiet spaces for neurodiverse children? Can all children use the play equipment safely?

If your child has developmental delay or disability, the preschool environment might need to be adjusted to meet your child’s needs and help your child participate fully in preschool life and activities. Reasonable adjustments might include things like minor building modifications, special resources or equipment, and training for early childhood teachers.

Educational program

Preschool is all about play-based learning. Educational programs vary among preschools, but all programs are designed to provide a wide range of experiences that allow children to explore their own interests and develop at their own pace.

These questions can help you consider whether the preschool offers the type of educational program you want for your child:

Are you interested in any special programs, like a language program, an indoor-outdoor program or bush and beach kinder?
Are you interested in a program based on a particular teaching approach or philosophy – for example, Montessori, Steiner or Reggio Emilia?
Does the preschool offer a ‘transition to preschool’ program at the beginning of the year?

As well as considering educational programs, it’s a good idea to visit the preschool to see how staff interact with children. You might like to think about the following questions. Do staff interact with children in positive ways? For example, do staff encourage children to participate? Do they have conversations with children at their level? And do they guide behaviour in positive ways?

Interactions and connections with families and the community

When there’s a strong and positive relationship between early childhood teachers and your family, your child is more likely to feel secure and have a sense of belonging at preschool.

These questions can help you find out how the preschool interacts and connects with families and the local community:

Do the staff welcome you and your child when you visit the preschool?
What opportunities are there for parent, family, kin and community involvement with the preschool?
How will the staff communicate with you about your child’s learning and development? For example, will you get written feedback during the year?
Is the preschool connected with local child health services, therapy services, government services, libraries, schools and so on?

To answer the questions above, you might need to look at the preschool’s website, call the preschool or visit the preschool. You can contact the early childhood service, local council or other organisation that’s responsible for the preschool to find out about open days and tours, as well as eligibility criteria and enrolment processes.