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Preschool programs can be delivered in community and mobile preschools, public preschools, long day care or family day care, and are available for children aged three to five, depending on the service.

These programs support learning and development through play-based activities and will help your child make friends, become more independent and get ready for school.

For more on preschool programs, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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When choosing a preschool program, it’s important to find a service that will meet the needs of you and your child. Here are some things to think about:

A service’s quality rating and location

The times and days it opens

How different backgrounds are celebrated.

Any healthcare needs your child may have

It’s a good idea to visit a service and take your child along. That way, you can see the service for yourself, and see how your child responds to the environment and educators. And, if you have any questions, you can ask the educators directly.

If you have any concerns about the quality or safety of a service, you can contact the NSW Department of Education as the Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care in NSW.

For more information, including how to find a service, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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When it comes to helping your child settle into a preschool program, it is good to be prepared.

Before their first day, it is a good idea to make sure they have all the things they might need like:

• a bag
• a drink bottle
• a hat for outdoor play
  
• and spare clothes.
  

It is also important to let your service know if your child has any allergies, health conditions, or learning and support needs, so that the service can make sure your child is safe, happy and well when they go to preschool.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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Starting a preschool program can be a big change for both you and your child.

Your child might be a bit nervous and that's ok, there are lots of things you can do to help them feel excited about preschool:

• you can talk about preschool in a positive way
• read books to them about starting preschool and
• visit the service and meet the educators ahead of time, so your child can become familiar with the new environment, people and routines.
  

If you want more tips on how to help your child settle in, talk to your service. They’ll be happy to help.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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Children learn through play. Quality Preschool programs create fun and engaging play-based learning activities that they know your child will enjoy.

This might mean imaginative play, making up games and stories, self-expression through painting, craft or building new things, dancing, listening to or making music, or learning about numbers, patterns and shapes.

Through play-based learning, your child will have fun and pick up new skills that will stay with them for life.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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When your child starts preschool, positive routines like starting the day with a nutritious breakfast will set your child up for success throughout the day.

Some services will supply healthy meals. Others will ask you to provide food. Talk to the educators about what to pack.

This is also a good age to start teaching your child about road safety: how to cross the road safely and why it’s important to always wear a seat belt.

Healthy routines ensure children have the energy and the confidence to learn and play.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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Would you like to discuss your child’s progress or readiness for school? Your child’s educator is the best place to start.

If you have concerns about a service, you can ask to speak to the nominated supervisor, service director or approved provider directly.

If the service can’t resolve the issue, you can contact the NSW Department of Education as the Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care services or – If the issue is related to service fees or business practices, the Department of Fair Trading.

As a parent or caregiver, you have a right to have your concerns addressed.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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When your child is ready to start school, your child’s early childhood education service will help you and your child prepare.

Services and schools often run programs to help.

Your service may also complete a ‘Transition to School’ statement.

The statement summarises your child’s strengths, interests, and ways they like to learn.

This information will help your child’s Kindergarten teacher get to know them and plan appropriate learning and teaching programs.

If you’d like more help, you can talk to your child’s educators who may be able to connect you with additional support programs.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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Starting kindergarten is a big event in your child’s life.

There’s lots you can do with your child to help them prepare for starting school: practice putting on a uniform and packing and unpacking their school bag, write their name on all their school things, read books to them about starting school and talk about what might happen on their first day.

You can also support your child to be independent in the bathroom. Teach them how to flush the toilet and wash and dry their hands.

If you live close to the school, practice walking to school safely making sure you always hold your child’s hand and cross at the pedestrian crossing.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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Going to school every day is important for children. It will help them settle into school and set them up for learning success.

Developing good routines will help your child to be happy, alert and arrive on time each day.

Keep before and after school routines – like bath time and meals – as regular as possible. And in the morning make sure there is enough time to eat breakfast and get ready.

If you’re having difficulty getting your child to school every day and on time, talk to your child’s teacher or principal.

Good routines will help your child focus on what’s most important – learning and having fun at school.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

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Engaging with your child in play-based literacy activities will help prepare them for learning at school.

When you talk, read to and interact with your child, they learn to communicate and use new words, this builds a strong foundation for reading, writing and communicating with others.

You might read or share a story with your child each day or encourage them to draw the things that interest them.

Most importantly, have fun with them and make use of the learning opportunities in everyday activities.

For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook

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Your child’s Kindergarten teacher is your partner in supporting your child’s education.

It is good to keep in touch with them about your child’s progress and let them know of any changes in your child’s life that may affect their learning or enjoyment of school.

If you feel your child needs extra support, schools offer a variety of support services that can help. This might be:

• learning and support teacher
• Community liaison officers
• English as an additional language or dialect teacher, or
  
• Aboriginal education officers and teams.
• School counselling service
  

Contact your school to find out more. Or you can visit our website or follow us on Facebook.