Via the link below there is a local council communications pack, developed by the Department of Education to assist with promotion of the opening of registration and enrolment for 2026 Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs, as well as the roll-out of Pre-Prep.

The content and messaging contained within this pack has been tailored to the needs of councils who will be rolling out Pre-Prep in 2026 to children who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, who come from a refugee or asylum seeker background, or who come from a family that has had contact with Child Protection.

Pre-Prep is the new name for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, launching in 2025 in specific areas. It offers the same program as the previous kindergarten but provides more hours for learning and socialisation through play, and it’s part of the Free Kinder initiative. Eligibility can be checked using an online calculator.

Program Overview

• Pre-Prep is the new designation for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, with its rollout beginning in 2025 across 6 local government areas.
• The program content offered by Pre-Prep is identical to that of Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.
• Pre-Prep provides an extended duration for children to engage in learning and social activities through play.

Delivery and Inclusions

• Pre-Prep services will be available through both standalone (sessional) kindergartens and long day care centres.
• Pre-Prep is included as part of the Free Kinder initiative, alongside Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten.

Eligibility and Information

• Further details regarding Free Kinder can be accessed.
• A Pre-Prep calculator is available for parents to determine their child’s eligibility and potential start date for Pre-Prep.
• To use the Pre-Prep calculator, knowledge of your local council is required.
• More information on the geographic roll-out of Pre-Prep to specific LGAs can be found on the Department of Education’s website.