Enrolling and Starting Your Child in Child Care or Kindergarten
The best thing you can do before your child starts in child care or kindergarten is to visit a number of places so you can choose the best place for your child.
Visiting is the best way to check for quality. It gives you the chance to see the centre, observe and meet the staff and children attending the centre and to ask questions. For more information, see: Choosing the best child care or kindergarten for you
We also offer some advice on:
- Before your child starts child care or kindergarten
- Enrolling in child care or kindergarten
- Starting child care or kindergarten
Before your child starts child care or kindergarten
The things to do before your child starts child care or kindergarten include:
- organise a time to visit the child care centre or kindergarten and talk with the early childhood teacher running the centre
- share your thoughts, concerns or ideas about your child openly with the staff of the centre
- find out what your child will need to bring along with them
- label all belongings and clothing.
Enrolling in child care or kindergarten
When enrolling your child you will need to provide the following information:
- your child’s name and address and details of any special needs
- information about yourself and any other parents, carers or guardians in your child’s life
- details of people who can collect your child
- information about their medical health and immunisation status
To discuss your child’s readiness for kindergarten it is also a good idea to visit your maternal and child health nurse to talk about your child’s health and wellbeing.
Entry age for kindergarten
To be eligible to attend a funded kindergarten program your child must be aged at least four years by 30 April in their kindergarten year. Some kindergartens run programs for three year old children but this program is charged the full fee and is not eligible to attract the kindergarten fee subsidy.
For more information about the fees charged in child care or kindergarten, see: Fees
Starting child care or kindergarten
Tips to prepare your child for child care or kindergarten
Some of the things you can do include:
- Provide play dates with other children
- Talk to your child about what to expect
- Come up with a goodbye ritual – and practice this before your child starts
- Read to your child every day
- Encourage your child to be independent, giving them time by themselves
- Pack a change of clothes for your child
- Keep the centre staff informed of changes in your child’s life that might affect their experiences at child care or kindergarten.
Things to prepare yourself for when your child starts child care or kindergarten
Starting in child care or kindergarten is an important time in the life of your child. It is also an important milestone in your life as a parent.
It's common for parents to miss their child when they start child care or kindergarten; it is a big change for both you and your child. But if you feel positive about the centre, your child will also feel positive about starting at child care or kindergarten and will more than likely look forward to beginning this journey.
Some of the things you can do to ensure a smooth first day at child care or kindergarten include:
- Be prepared: Have some practice runs of taking them to the child care centre or kindergarten before your child starts and encourage them to help pack the things they are taking with them.
- Dress: Look for easy fasteners and encourage your child to dress themselves, so they can manage things like taking jumpers on and off. Label all belongings.
- Avoid a rush: Leave home on time and allow time to say goodbye. At first, you may stay a while to ensure your child feels secure, but once they have settled in, a short and reassuring goodbye encourages independence. Confirm the time you will pick up your child and arrive in plenty of time to collect them.