Answering Your Kindergarten & Preschool Frequently Asked Questions

Starting Kindergarten or Preschool is a big milestone not just for your child, but for your whole family. Especially if it is your first time sending your child to an early education centre. Whether you’re enrolling for the first time or just want to learn more about what to expect, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions from parents to help you feel confident and prepared.

What age does my child need to be to start Kindergarten or Preschool?

In Queensland, your child must turn 4 by June 30^th in the year they attend an approved Kindergarten program. Kindergarten is typically a one-year program that runs the year before Prep.

In Victoria, both 3-Year-Old and 4-Year-Old Kindergarten programs are on offer. The Victorian Government provides two years of funded Kindergarten for children to maximise the benefits of early childhood education, which has been shown to improve a child’s learning, development, health, and wellbeing. This investment aims to give children a strong foundation for future learning and life success. For 3-year-old Kinder, children are eligible if they are attending the program the year they turn 3. In the 4-year-old Kinder, children must turn 4 before April 30^th that year to participate in the approved Kindergarten Program.

In New South Wales, Preschool Programs are offered to children who are turning 4 years old before July 31^stand attending an approved Preschool Program.

In South Australia, our Kindergarten Program offers two official intakes throughout the year. The first allows your child to start kindergarten at the beginning of the year as long as they turn 4 on or before April 30^th. The second is a mid-year intake for if your child turns 4 between May 1^st and October 31^st. If your child turns 4 after November 1^st, they will start the Kindergarten Program at the beginning of the following year.

From 2026, there is also a 3-year old Preschool Program available at selected centres available in South Australia. Our Imagine Childcare & Kindergarten Blakeview centre has been selected to participate in this special Government-approved program, called ‘Flying Start’.

What does a typical Kindergarten or Preschool day look like at Imagine Childcare?

Each day is thoughtfully structured to support your child’s development. A Kindergarten or Preschool day usually includes:

Group time and story sessions
Outdoor play and physical activity
Creative play and sensory experiences
Early literacy and numeracy games
Mealtimes and rest
Opportunities for children to explore their interests

These routines help children feel secure and give them a sense of belonging in the classroom.

Is the Kindergarten or Preschool Program play-based at Imagine Childcare?

Yes! Our Kindergarten and Preschool Programs are proudly play-based. Our Teachers adopt a stimulating play-based approach to their curriculum delivery, as well as tailoring the program to each child’s individual development needs.

Learning through play is one of the most important ways children learn and develop. You may have realised that as a parent, you don’t generally have to make children play or provide incentives to play. This is because children have a natural urge to play and playing brings a level of pleasure and interest which means it can be maintained without external rewards.

We also believe children learn best through hands-on, meaningful experiences. Through play, children build essential skills in:

Language and early literacy
Early maths and problem-solving
Social interactions and emotional regulation
Fine and gross motor development

We follow the Early Years Learning Framework and guidance from the Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a), which supports school readiness through fun, rich, and engaging learning. We also focus on providing a variety of extra-curriculars, incursions and excursions to ensure your child has a well-rounded early childhood education with us.

Will my child be ready for traditional schooling after Kindergarten or Preschool at Imagine Childcare?

Yes! Our program is designed to prepare children for a smooth and confident transition to school. We focus on developing:

Independence and self-help skills
Confidence in learning and trying new things
Social and emotional skills to make friends and work with others
Foundational early literacy and numeracy skills
Name recognition

Our Kindergarten or Preschool Teacher will also coordinate several visits to local schools across the year as part of your child’s transition to school process. By the end of their Kindergarten or Preschool year, children are well equipped to take on the routines and expectations of traditional schooling.

Do you provide a Transition Statement?

Yes! A formal discussion towards the end of the Kindergarten Year is scheduled to share information with parents and Teachers and support each child’s transition to school. This discussion provides an opportunity for parents and other partners to collaboratively create a summary of a child’s learning in the form of a Transition Statement.

This is a helpful summary of your child’s learning progress, strengths, and interests and it is shared with your child’s future school to help their new teachers support them from day one.

Do you offer Free Kindergarten or Preschool Fee Relief?

Yes, we do! Our established early education centres provide Government-approved Kindergarten or Preschool Programs, which means that families may be eligible for Free Kindergarten or Preschool Fee Relief (depending on your location and circumstances).

In Queensland, the state Government offers ‘Free Kindy’ for eligible children attending a Government-approved Kindergarten Program for up to 15 hours per week, 40 hours per year. For more information and eligibility criteria, head to the Queensland Government website.

In New South Wales, all our centres currently participate in the NSW Government’s ‘Start Strong’ program by providing a Government-approved Preschool Program. This means families may be eligible for Fee Relief, which provides up to $2,110 per year in fee subsidies for children enrolled in eligible community or long daycare settings. For more information and eligibility criteria, head to the New South Wales Government website.

In Victoria, the Victorian Government offers two years of ‘Free Kinder’ for eligible families who attend an approved 3-year-old and 4-year-old Kindergarten Programs. Funding will save Victorian families up to $2,627 per year per child. For more information and eligibility criteria, head to the Victorian Government website.

What does my child need to bring?

Our all-inclusive daily fee offers families a stress-free experience by providing children with all hats, sunscreen, meals, and snacks. This means all you need to pack is your child’s water bottle and hat (which we provide you as part of our ‘Enrolment Pack’) and a spare change of clothes!

Our Centre Chefs prepare nutritious meals and snacks fresh, daily in our in-house kitchen. Have peace of mind knowing your child is getting the nutrition they need to learn and grow with our seasonal menus providing over 50% of your child’s recommended daily nutritional intake.

Do you have qualified Teachers at your long daycare centres?

Yes! Our Teachers are University-qualified Teachers!

They have achieved a Bachelor of Early Childhood or equivalent qualification as approved by ACECQA (or are actively working towards their Bachelor qualification). In addition to being degree qualified, they must also have:

Current approved first aid, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications
Current Working with Children Check
Sound understanding of the EYLF and NQF

Why Choose Imagine Childcare’s Kindergarten or Preschool Program?

At Imagine Childcare, our Kindergarten or Preschool Programs offer more to families than just preparation for school. It offers a nurturing, play-based environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. With qualified Early Childhood Teachers; a variety of rich learning opportunities and experiences; nutritious chef-prepared meals; convenient long daycare hours; and our evidenced-based Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a) approach to teaching, your child will thrive in every way.

How and when can we enrol for 2026?

Enrolments for our 2026 Kindergarten and Preschool Programs are opening very soon! To get a head start to securing your child’s place for next year, you can Register Your Interest now and Book a Tour of our inspiring centres today!

Imagine Childcare and Kindergarten Smithfield and Imagine Childcare and Kindergarten Melton are opening soon. Follow them on Facebook to receive regular updates on their progress.

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