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.

Children who turn 4 years old:

• • before 1 May – can start preschool at the beginning of the year
  • between 1 May to 31 October – can start preschool in term 3 (mid-year intake)
  • after 31 October – can start preschool at the start of the following year.

Regardless of whether your child starts at the beginning of the year, or through a mid-year intake, they will attend 4 terms of preschool.

If you’re unsure about the best time for your child to start preschool or feel your child may benefit from starting preschool later, talk to us about your options.

Universal 3-year-old preschool will be rolled out in government preschools in stages from 2026 to 2032.

Early entry

Aboriginal children and children who are or have been in care are eligible for 15 hours of preschool a week after they turn 3, continuing until they start school.

If you have a child with a 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. Early entry to preschool does not guarantee early entry to school.

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 the acceptance slip by the due date.

Before your child starts

We will contact you in term 3 about an orientation session. This will be a 1-hour session where you can ask questions.

Before they start preschool your child can come to pre-entry transition visits. These will be in November and are a chance for your child to meet our educators and other children.

Fees

We ask you to contribute towards the cost of your child attending preschool.

The parent contribution is $356 per year. You can choose to pay the total amount at the beginning of the year or pay instalments of $89 each term. This fee includes a kindy hat, green bag and bus travel for excursions in terms 2 and 3.

We offer other programs that may have additional costs.

When to pay

We will invoice you by week 4 of each term, via your child’s communication book.

Payments are due in week 8 of each term.

Please contact us if you are having difficulty paying.

How to pay

• • EFT information: You can pay by direct deposit.
    • BSB: 105046
    • Account number: 192101040
    • Account name: Crystal Brook Kindergarten
    • Please use your invoice number as the reference.
  • Cash or cheque: You can pay by cash or cheque at the kindy. Please put the correct payment in a sealed envelope with your child’s full name on the front. Give the payment to our finance officer, who can take money from 8.45am to 9.30am, Monday to Friday.

Immunisations

When you enrol your child you will be asked to provide evidence of their immunisation status.