Children who turn 4 before 1 May are eligible to start preschool at the beginning of the year before they start school. Aboriginal children and children under guardianship of the minister are entitled to attend preschool once they turn 3.

Children with additional needs and/or disability may be able to start preschool up to 2 terms before they would usually start. This is known as early entry.

How to Enrol

Submit a preschool registration of interest form (PDF 80KB) to your local or preferred preschools. This form can also be collected from your nearest preschool. When submitting this form, we request that it be accompanied by your child’s supporting proof of age documentation (copy of birth certificate or passport).

If possible, submit the registration form by 30 June in the year before your child is due to start. You can still register your interest any time during the year.

All government preschools will prioritise enrolment applications for children living within the preschool’s local catchment area. You can find what catchment area you are in through our preschool and school finder.

Where there are more children seeking to enrol in a preschool than places available, the preschool will allocate places using priority of access criteria. Ask your preschool director for more information.

Enrolment paperwork and enquiries can be directed to pam.buttfield84@schools.sa.edu.au

Timeframe for offers

At the beginning of August (early in school term 3) there will be a first round of offers to families of preschool‐aged children who live within the preschool’s local catchment area. Prior to placement offers additional documentation will be requested to support that you reside within a preschool’s local catchment area.

If you are offered a place, you will receive a letter or email from the preschool. To accept the offer and secure the place, you will need to reply within the timeframe requested.

If you have a preferred preschool but do not live in the local catchment area, you may still be offered a place. A second round of enrolment offers will be made from the beginning of September.

Places at a preferred preschool

If more children are seeking to enrol in a preschool than places available, some families will be offered a place in another nearby preschool. When accepting an enrolment offer, you can request to remain on the enrolment registration list at your preferred preschool. This means you will be contacted if a place becomes available before the beginning of the school year.

Kindergarten tours

We welcome families to come and visit our kindergarten. Should you wish to visit or have a tour prior to enrolling please either telephone 82935652 or send an email to dl.4617.leaders@schools.sa.edu.au.