Enrolment and fees - Kangaroo Island Children's Services

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.

Childcare enrolment

We use an app called OWNA to enrol children in childcare. You can email or call us on 8553 2436 to ask for a link to enrol. If you are on the island, feel free to drop into our Kingscote office to talk to one of our friendly staff.

Before the first booking for your child, you'll have an orientation meeting with us. This will help our educators get to know your child more and for you to find out about the routines of the centre.

Childcare subsidy

The childcare subsidy (CCS) helps families with the cost of childcare. The subsidy can be claimed at all 3 of our sites. You can find out more from the CCS website or call 136 150.

Fees

Kangaroo Island Children's Services provide integrated services for preschool and centre based care Please call 8553 2436 for Childcare fee information. Preschool fees are $8.50 per day and a $4.10 arts levy is charged per term.

When to pay

We will invoice you on a fortnightly basis via OWNA.

Preschool service payments are due within 14 days of our invoice. Childcare service payments are due within 7 days of our invoice.

Late pick-up fee

Please collect your child on time. We issue a late pick-up fee (PDF 123KB) of $5 per minute after 5 minutes has elapsed. This applies to all our services.

How to pay

Automated Direct Debit -Fat Zebra

You pay fortnightly through OWNA by authorising a direct debit request from your bank account or credit card. Please ask us for a form or complete this on OWNA. We cannot accept cash payments for childcare fees, this is a government directive.

Transaction fees are charged per transaction to the account holder.

Immunisations

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