Enrolment and fees - Cowell Early Childhood Centre

Enrolment and fees

When your child can start preschool

Your child is entitled to access 4 terms (1 year) of government preschool in the year before they start school.

We are introducing a mid-year intake into preschool. This means from 2023 children who turn 4:

before 1 May are eligible to start preschool at the beginning of the year.
on 1 May to 31 October can start preschool through the mid-year intake at the beginning of term 3 of that year.

Regardless of whether your child starts at the beginning of the year, or through a mid-year intake they will undertake 4 terms of preschool.

If your child turns 4 after 31 October they can start preschool at the beginning of the following year.

If you are uncertain about the best time for your child to start preschool or feel your child may benefit from starting preschool later, please talk to us about your options.

If your child is Aboriginal or under guardianship (in care) they are eligible for 12 hours of preschool after they turn 3. They will then be eligible for 15 hours per week of preschool in the year before they start school.

Early entry

If you have a child with disability or additional needs, they might be able to start preschool earlier if there are places available. Talk to us if this applies to you. Being given early entry to preschool does not guarantee early entry to school.

Enrolling your child

You can register your interest to enrol your child with us by using the preschool registration of interest form. This form is also available from us.

Try to register your interest by 30 June, but you can do this any time during the year.

Priority will be given to children living in our catchment area. If you don’t live in our catchment area you should indicate at least 2 other preschool options on your form.

If we can give your child a place with us we’ll send you an offer letter in term 3. You can accept the offer by filling in and sending back the acceptance slip by the due date.

Site specific enrolment

We are an integrated services centre. Children 6 months to 12 years can attend preschool and long day care sessions through our rural care programs.

We invite you and your child to tour our centre at your enrolment. Please ensure you or a family member stay with your child during their very first visit. Your child will need support as they adjust to a new environment.

Before your child starts

Before they start preschool your child can come to our pre-entry transition visits. We offer 4 sessions in term 4 before your child starts preschool. There are 2 morning sessions, a half day and 1 full day.

Pre-entry transition visits allow your child to meet our staff and other children. Your child will become confident and familiar with the daily routines of our centre.

Fees

We ask you to contribute towards the cost of your child attending preschool.

The parent contribution is $280 per year. You can choose to pay the total amount at the beginning of the year or pay 4 instalments of $70 each term.

We offer other programs that may have an additional cost.

When to pay

We will invoice each term via your child’s mail pocket.

Payments are due in in the final week of term.

Please contact us if you are have difficulty paying.

How to pay

Cash or cheque

You can pay cash or cheque at the centre. Please put the payment in a sealed envelope with your child’s full name on the front and take to the centre office.

EFT

You can pay via electronic funds transfer (EFT). Instructions for EFT are provided on your invoice.
Please put your child’s full name as the reference.

Immunisations

When you enrol your child you will be asked to provide evidence of their immunisation status.