What’s the difference between child care and kindergarten/preschool?

Child care

In Australia, child care is a common term used to refer to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and is available for children aged from birth to 5 years of age.

Most child care centres across the G8 Education network are long day care centres operating Monday to Friday for children aged from 6 weeks to 6 years. Our approach is guided by the principles, practices and outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Our programs enrich learning through inclusive environments that offer children diversified play-based learning experiences.

A number of our centres also provide holiday and vacation care for school-aged children. We follow the nationally approved My Time, Our Place Framework for School Age Care, which aims to extend children’s learning and enrich their wellbeing in a positive social environment.

Kindergarten/Preschool

In Australia, an approved kindergarten or preschool program is usually delivered in the year prior to starting primary school.

Kindergarten or Preschool education is designed for children aged between three and five. In Australia, most children go to preschool when they are four or five. However, the age requirement may vary from state to state.

Queensland

In Queensland, kindergarten refers to a part-time educational program for children in the year before Prep (the first year of school in Queensland). It can be offered in kindergarten services. Long day care centres may also offer approved kindergarten programs delivered by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher.

The Queensland Government’s funded kindergarten program is called “Free Kindy.” This program provides 15 hours per week of government-approved kindergarten education for 40 weeks per year.

You can read more about different types of kindergarten in Queensland in the link below.

New South Wales

In New South Wales, kindergarten refers to the first year of primary school and preschool refers to the year before they start school.

The New South Wales government funds preschool education through the “Start Strong” program. This initiative provides financial support to community preschools, mobile preschools, and long day care services.

Read more about preschool in New South Wales in the link below.

Victoria

In Victoria, kindergarten is offered for both three-year-old and four-year-old children before they begin school.

The Victorian Government’s funded kindergarten program is called “Kinder: Best Start, Best Life.” Under this initiative, your child could be eligible for up to 15 hours per week of kinder, at low or no cost. 

Read more about kindergarten in Victoria in the link below.

South Australia

In South Australia, preschools are also known as kindergartens. They are typically for children who turn 4 years of age before 1 May in the year before starting school. They can be stand-alone services, located in schools or alongside other early learning services. South Australia has also announced the rollout of 3-year-old Preschool, which will start from 2026. G8 Education have over 20 centres across South Australia offering an enhanced learning program for preschool, with the convenience of extended hours year-round for busy families.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, kindergartens are for children who turn 4 years of age before or on 30 June in the year before starting school. G8 Education have over 40 centres across Western Australia offering an enhanced learning program for kindergarten, with the convenience of extended hours year-round for busy families.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

In the ACT, kindergarten is a year-long school-based program for children who turn five before April 30. Just like in NSW, preschool in the ACT is a voluntary educational program for children aged 3 to 5 years of age. Read more about preschool in the ACT in the link below.

What are the benefits of kindergarten/preschool?

There are many benefits to children attending a government-approved kindergarten or preschool program in the year prior to commencing school. It helps children to be able to transition smoothly to “the big school”, with better emotional and social skills, early literacy and numeracy understandings, self-care skills and abilities to ask questions and respond to questions. Attending a long day care centre that provides a kindergarten or preschool program may suit your family better, or you may opt for a standalone kindergarten, depending on your family’s circumstances.

Standalone kindergartens or preschools tend to operate 2-3 days a week, and only during school terms and school hours. Most long day care centres are open from 7:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday with flexible drop-off/pick-up times to better accommodate busy working parents.

Many long day care centres across the G8 Education network offer kindergarten or preschool programs that meet the government guidelines in their state or territory. While all our programs align with the Early Years Learning Framework, the kindergarten or preschool program is designed using the G8 Education Practice Statements to further develop your child’s interests, needs, strengths and abilities. University-educated, registered early childhood teachers deliver a developmentally appropriate program that caters to each child’s specific learning outcomes. We use a wide variety of play-based learning experiences to provide your child with the opportunity to explore, question, investigate and evaluate.

To find more about G8 Education’s kindergarten and preschool programs, head over here.