Enrol in a NSW government preschool

Introduction

A preschool provides educational programs for children the year before they start kindergarten. The NSW government currently runs preschool classes in 100 government schools, predominantly catering for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The school year begins late-January/early-February. You can enrol your child at the beginning of the school year if they turn 4 on, or before, 31 July that year.

Eligibility

• Australian citizens and permanent residents
• holders of a permanent or temporary visa
• priority is given to low income families, refugees, children with disabilities, and children of Aboriginal descent.

What you need

When you contact your chosen public preschool to discuss your child's potential enrolment. You will be asked for the following documents:

• your child's standard birth certificate or identity documents
• proof of your child's address - originals of different documents such as your council rates notice or residential lease and electricity bill
• low income health care card (if applicable)
• family law or relevant court orders (if applicable).

If your child has special circumstances, allergies, health or medical conditions, it's important you tell the principal about these before your child starts preschool. 

How to enrol

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Find your nearest local government preschool.
3. Contact the school to make an appointment to discuss potential enrolment.
4. Complete the Application to enrol in a NSW Government preschool – PDF and take the form and your supporting documents to the appointment.

More information

• Commemorative birth certificates are not acceptable.
• The enrolment application form must be completed in English. Translations of the form are available to help you, if required.
• Fees for preschool classes vary across the government schools and are set according to the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) value of the school.
• Applications for the next school year are taken from Term 2 onwards of the current school year.