Government Preschools – Provision and Access

Across NSW there are approximately 2,800 children's services which include 800 community-based preschools. The Department of Education and Training operates 100 preschools in public schools. These complement children’s services run by local government, community-based organisations and the private sector.

Department preschools are an integral part of the schools in which they are located and provide educational programs for children for one year prior to enrolment in Kindergarten.

Children's services across NSW are licensed by the Department of Community Services (DoCS) and comply with the Children's Services Regulation 2004.

From July 2008 the Department of Education and Training preschools will also be licensed by DoCS. Licensing will be phased in over a three year period with Western Sydney and South Western Sydney Regions commencing on 1 July 2008, followed by Hunter Central Coast, Illawarra South East and Sydney Regions on 1 July 2009 and North Coast, New England, Riverina and Western NSW Regions on 1 July 2010. This will ensure that families are provided with a consistent quality of education and care no matter who provides the service.

Preschools in public schools provide educational programs for children one year prior to enrolment in Kindergarten. A child may be eligible for enrolment in preschool from the beginning of the school year if they turn four years on or before 31 July that year.

Generally, the Department's preschools operate during school hours. Attendance patterns are determined according to the needs of the local community. Some preschools offer a half day session, with children attending either five mornings or five afternoons per week. Other preschools provide full day attendance for two, three or five days per week.

Twenty four Department preschools are in communities with high Aboriginal populations. Eleven of these preschools are designated specifically for Aboriginal children. Children in geographically isolated areas may be eligible for a preschool program through the Dubbo School of Distance Education.

Children with disabilities attend the Department's preschools. Programs for children with disabilities are also available in 50 early intervention support classes. Decisions about the most appropriate placement for children with disabilities and other additional support needs are made in consultation with parents/carers, the principal, and the relevant early intervention support or preschool teacher. Regional support personnel are also available to assist parents/carers with decision making.

Most other preschools in NSW are managed by community organisations, local councils or private operators. These preschools and other children's services are licensed by the Department of Community Services.  For information on these preschools and services in your area please contact the Child and Family Information Referral Service in Sydney on (02) 85 94 4244 or 1800 803 820 if calling from out of Sydney.

NSW Department of Education and Training employs an early childhood trained teacher and a teacher's aide in each preschool class. Teachers plan an educational program which nurtures each child's self esteem, wellbeing and development.

The preschool program is designed to stimulate children's thinking, communicating, investigating, exploring and problem solving skills. Children are encouraged to join in physical activities and to develop good health and safety habits.

The program includes play based activities that help children learn how to interact positively with other children and to recognise and accept their own feelings and those of others. The program also supports the development of early language, literacy and numeracy skills.

For information on eligibility, waiting lists and procedures for enrolment in the Department's preschools go to Enrolment of Students in NSW Government Schools: A Summary and Consolidation of Policy.