Preschool

In Australia preschool or kindergarten (depending on state) programs are available for a child the year before they start school.

For the purposes of this article we will refer to all as preschool and discuss the services provided for children the year before they commence full-time schooling.

This care before a child starts school is not compulsory.

Preschool is specialized play based educational program. The programs are centered around a child learning through play.

They offer care and education for 3+ years to school aged. By law all children must be enrolled and attend formal school by their 6th birthday.

These services are open no more than 6 hours a day generally from 9 am to 3 pm. They operate Monday to Friday. They generally operate along with the school terms closing during school holidays (unless based within a long day care setting).

Services may offer preschool programs within their service, such as long day care services or they may be stand alone services, although in remote areas they may be mobile or even online.

Preschools may also be located as attached and run by schools or by local government, community-based organisations or the private sector.

Depending on the provider of the service may differ in the age of the child for enrollment.

Depending on which state and/or the type of program they attend the child’s attendance may vary.

Some preschools offer a half-day session, with children attending either five mornings or five afternoons per week whereas other preschools provide full day attendance for two, three or five days per week.

If you access a preschool program within a long day care service then the hours and frequency will vary according to the service rather than the standard preschool hours.

The daily rate can vary greatly ranging from $40 – 90 per day.

If you access a preschool program within a long day care service it will be the standard service daily rate rather than a ‘preschool’ rate.

The variations of cost can depend on if it is not-for-profit community based or not, location, etc.

The Government has funded universal access to early childhood education. This is to guarantee that a quality preschool program is available for all children in the year before full-time school.

This equates to children having access to preschools for 15 hours per week for 40 weeks (the equivalent to 600 hours) for children in the year before formal schooling.