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.

Before your child starts

We will contact you in term 3 about an orientation session. This will be a 1-hour session where you can ask questions.

Before they start preschool your child can come to pre-entry transition visits. These will be in term 4 and will be a chance for your child to meet the staff and other children.

Fees

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

The parent contribution is $180 per year. You can choose to pay the total amount at the beginning of the year or to pay instalments of $45 each term.

We offer other programs that may have additional costs.

When to pay

We will invoice you by week 5 of term 1 via your parent pocket.

Payments are due in week 10 of that term, unless you have already paid for the whole year.

Please contact us if you have difficulty paying.

How to pay

Cash or cheque

You can pay cash, cheque or EFTPOS at the Mallala Primary School.

EFT information

You can pay by direct deposit.

BSB: 105009

Account number: 098839540

Please put your child’s name in the notes as the reference.

Immunisations

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