Why kindergarten?
Kindergarten will help your child learn the skills they need that will help them do well in future years at school. It will help them:
- build their sense of identity
- explore how they fit into the world around them
- learn how to communicate with others
- strengthen their physical, social and emotional wellbeing
- feel confident in learning and trying new things.
You, as a parent or caregiver, are supported and encouraged to be a part of your child’s education, helping to build on the learning that your child is already doing at home.
What happens at kindergarten?
At kindergarten, your child can:
- learn through play, art, music and dance
- learn to express themselves in a safe, inclusive and caring environment
- build skills and confidence to prepare them for school.
Respecting cultural identity
Kindergarten groups will often have a number of children from different cultures and backgrounds. All children should feel welcome, regardless of their background.
You are encouraged to talk with your child’s teacher about your own cultures and beliefs, and how these can be incorporated into the activities at kindergarten.
Enrol your child in kindergarten
To be eligible for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, your child must turn 4 years old by 30 April in the year they go to kindergarten.
Early Start Kindergarten also offers 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten to eligible three-year-old children, including children from a refugee and asylum seeker background.
To enrol your child, speak to your local council or your closest kindergarten: Find a school or early childhood service.
Stories of CALD communities at kindergarten
School readiness
How to enrol in kindergarten
Spread the word about CALD
Help us spread the word about CALD community participation in kindergarten by displaying a poster, distributing postcards or brochures, sharing the videos above, or by including information about kindergarten and this page in your newsletters or on social media.
Posters, brochures and postcards
Order print materials using our online form(opens in a new window), or download and print your own copies using the links below.
Vietnamese
Chinese
Somali
English
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