Education in Australia
Pre-school
Pre-school (also known as Kindergarten in some states and territories) in Australia is relatively unregulated, and is not compulsory. The first exposure many Australian children have to learn with others outside of traditional parenting is day care or a parent-run playgroup. This sort of activity is not generally considered schooling, as Pre-school education is separate from primary school in all states and territories, except Western Australia and Queensland where pre-school education is taught as part of the primary school system.
Pre-schools are usually run by the State and Territory Governments, except in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales where they are run by local councils, community groups or private organizations. Pre-school is offered to three- to five-year-olds; attendance numbers vary widely between the states, but 85.7% of children attended pre-school the year before school. The year before a child is due to attend primary school is the main year for pre-school education. This year is far more commonly attended, and may take the form of a few hours of activity during weekdays.
Responsibility for pre-schools in New South Wales and Victoria, lies with the Department of Community Services and the Department of Human Services, respectively.In all other states and territories of Australia, responsibility for pre-schools lie with the relevant education department.
