When your child can start preschool
Your child is entitled to access 4 terms (1 year) of government preschool in the year before they start school.
We are introducing a mid-year intake into preschool. This means from 2023 children who turn 4:
- before 1 May are eligible to start preschool at the beginning of the year.
- on 1 May to 31 October can start preschool through the mid-year intake at the beginning of term 3 of that year.
Regardless of whether your child starts at the beginning of the year, or through a mid-year intake they will undertake 4 terms of preschool.
If your child turns 4 after 31 October they can start preschool at the beginning of the following year.
If you are uncertain about the best time for your child to start preschool or feel your child may benefit from starting preschool later, please talk to us about your options.
If your child is Aboriginal or under guardianship (in care) they are eligible for 12 hours of preschool after they turn 3. They will then be eligible for 15 hours per week of preschool in the year before they start school.
Early entry
If you have a child with disability or additional needs, they might be able to start preschool earlier if there are places available. Talk to us if this applies to you. Being given early entry to preschool does not guarantee early entry to school.
Immunisations
When you enrol your child you will be asked to provide evidence of their immunisation status.
Enrolling your child
You can register your interest to enrol your child with us by using the preschool registration of interest form. This form is also available from us.
Try to register your interest by 30 June, but you can do this any time during the year.
Priority will be given to children living in our catchment area. If you don’t live in our catchment area you should indicate at least 2 other preschool options on your form.
If we can give your child a place with us we’ll send you an offer letter in term 3. You can accept the offer by filling in and sending back or emailing the acceptance slip by the due date.
Your letter of offer will include an enrolment pack and information about induction sessions. When accepting a place for your child please book an induction session.
The sessions are 1-hour and you will need to bring:
- proof of age for your child (passport, birth certificate or official Centrelink document which clearly states your child’s name and date of birth)
- evidence of immunisation.
Before your child starts
Before they start preschool your child can come to:
- play dates: during terms 3 and 4 you are welcome to drop-in once a week for 30 minutes to a 1-hour with your child to have a play
- familiarisation visits: in term 4, 2 x 2-hour sessions can be booked at the induction session.
If your child has a health condition we require a health care plan and authority to administer medication form completed by your doctor. This ensures your child’s safety and wellbeing.
Fees
We ask you to contribute towards the cost of your child attending preschool.
The parent contribution is $120 per term. You can choose to pay $480 at the beginning of the year, or pay instalments of $120 each term, $24 per fortnight, or $12 per week.
Our annual excursion, incursion and group photos are an additional cost.
When to pay
We will invoice you by week 2 at the beginning of each term via your notice pocket.
Payments are due week 9 of each term.
Please contact us if you are having difficulty paying.
How to pay
Cash or cheque
You can pay cash or cheque at the kindy. Please put the payment in a sealed envelope with your child’s name on the front. Put the envelope in the payments box.
EFT information
You can pay by direct deposit.
BSB: 105137
Account number: 513232540
Please put your child’s name in the notes as the reference.