{"id":2128,"date":"2024-11-22T12:37:26","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T02:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g8education.edu.au\/?page_id=2128"},"modified":"2026-07-27T16:01:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T06:01:37","slug":"difference-child-care-and-kindergarten","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/g8education.edu.au\/difference-child-care-and-kindergarten","title":{"rendered":"Difference between child care and kindergarten\/preschool"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What\u2019s the difference between child care and kindergarten\/preschool?<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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What’s the difference between child care and kindergarten\/preschool?<\/h2>\n

In Australia, child care usually refers to long day care for children from around six weeks old until they start school. Most centres are open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. Kindergarten or preschool is an educational program delivered in the year or two before primary school, usually around 15 hours a week during school terms.<\/p>\n

The two are not either\/or. Many long day care centres deliver a government approved kindergarten program, so your child can attend kindergarten while you keep the hours and year round care that suit your family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Child care and kindergarten compared<\/h2>\n
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<\/th>\nLong day care<\/th>\nStandalone kindergarten or preschool<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ages<\/th>\n6 weeks to 6 years<\/td>\n3 to 5 years, depending on your state<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hours<\/th>\nUsually 7am to 6pm<\/td>\nSchool hours only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Days<\/th>\nMonday to Friday<\/td>\nUsually 2 to 3 days a week<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weeks per year<\/th>\nAround 50<\/td>\nSchool terms only, around 40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kindergarten program<\/th>\nOffered at many centres, delivered by a registered early childhood teacher<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Government funding<\/th>\nChild Care Subsidy, plus state kindergarten funding where an approved program is offered<\/td>\nState kindergarten funding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best suited to<\/th>\nFamilies who need year round care and flexible drop off and pick up<\/td>\nFamilies who only need care during school hours and terms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Child care<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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)<\/a>. Our programs enrich learning through inclusive environments that offer children diversified play-based learning experiences.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> for School Age Care, which aims to extend children\u2019s learning and enrich their wellbeing in a positive social environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Kindergarten and Preschool<\/h2>\n

In Australia, an approved kindergarten or preschool program is usually delivered in the year prior to starting primary school.<\/p>\n

Kindergarten or preschool education is designed for children aged between three and five. Most children go to preschool when they are four or five, though the age requirement varies from state to state.<\/p>\n

The names vary too. What is called kindergarten in Victoria and Queensland is called preschool in New South Wales, where kindergarten means the first year of primary school. The table below sets out the starting ages in each state and territory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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What age does kindergarten start in each state?<\/h2>\n
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State or territory<\/th>\nWhat it’s called<\/th>\nAge requirement<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Queensland<\/th>\nKindergarten (Kindy)<\/td>\nTurns 4 by 30 June in the year before Prep<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New South Wales<\/th>\nPreschool<\/td>\nAged 3 to 5, in the year or two before school<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Victoria<\/th>\nKindergarten (Kinder)<\/td>\nAvailable for both 3 and 4 year olds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Australia<\/th>\nPreschool or kindergarten<\/td>\nTurns 4 before 1 May in the year before school<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Western Australia<\/th>\nKindergarten<\/td>\nTurns 4 on or before 30 June in the year before school<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tasmania<\/th>\nKindergarten<\/td>\nTurns 4 by 1 January in the year they start<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Australian Capital Territory<\/th>\nPreschool<\/td>\nAged 3 to 5. Kindergarten is the first year of school<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Northern Territory<\/th>\nPreschool<\/td>\nTurns 4 on or before 30 June<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Find a kindergarten or preschool near you<\/h2>\n
G8 Education has 350+ centres across Australia, many offering government approved kindergarten and preschool programs alongside long day care.<\/div>\n \n
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