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.

Children who turn 4 years old:

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

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

If you are not sure about the best time for your child to start preschool or feel your child may benefit from starting preschool later, talk to us about your options.

Early entry

Aboriginal children and children who are or have been in care are eligible for 15 hours of preschool a week after they turn 3, continuing until they start school.

If you have a child with a disability or additional needs, they may be able to start preschool earlier if there are places available. Talk to us if this applies to you. 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 March or August to arrange a parent information meeting and transition visits, depending on whether your child is starting mid-year or at the beginning of the year.

Before your child begins preschool, you and your child are welcome to attend pre-entry transition visits. These visits take place in Term 2 for mid-year starters and Term 4 for January starters, and provide a valuable opportunity for your child to meet the educators, become familiar with the preschool environment, and start forming relationships with other children.

Fees

Families are asked to contribute towards the cost of their child’s preschool education. This contribution helps cover the cost of educational resources and materials used throughout the program.

The parent contribution is $170 per term.
The cost for pre-entry transition visits is $36.

When to pay

Invoices are issued each term and are provided via communication pockets and email. Invoices will clearly outline the payment due date.

Families are encouraged to make payment at the beginning of each term.

Please contact us if you are experiencing any difficulty with payment, as we are happy to discuss support or alternative arrangements.

How to pay

Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or EFT. If you are paying by cash or cheque, please put the money or cheque in a sealed envelope with your child’s name on the front. Put the envelope in the fees box located by the communications pockets.

BSB: 105 152
Account Number: 567 139 740
Account Name: INO Athelstone Kindergarten

Immunisations

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

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