Preschool for
3-year-olds
Register now for 3-year-old preschool in 2027
In South Australia, ‘preschool’ and ‘kindergarten’ are the same.
Going to preschool has a big impact on your child’s learning and development. Through play-based learning, your child builds important social, emotional and thinking skills to help them thrive.
Universal preschool for 3-year-olds is rolling out in government preschools in stages from 2026 to 2032.
How to register for 3-year-old preschool
Find your local preschool
Use our tool to find a preschool in your local catchment area. This will tell you when universal 3-year-old preschool will be available at your preschool.
Registrations of interest are currently open for preschools with universal 3-year-old preschool available in 2027.
Complete a 3-year-old preschool registration of interest form
Complete the online form or fill in the form and give it to your preschool:
Complete universal 3-year-old registration of interest online form
Wait for further details
If you meet eligibility requirements and your preschool can offer your child a place, you will receive an enrolment offer via email or letter from the preschool. If a place is not currently available, further information will be provided.
Starting universal 3-year-old preschool
If your preschool can offer your child a place, you will receive an enrolment offer via email or letter from the preschool. Offers are made to align with the 2 enrolment intakes (start of the year or mid-year intake).
Your child must be 3 years of age to start a 3-year-old preschool program. Your child can start on the first of these dates after their third birthday:
- Enrolment intake 1 (start of the year):
- term 1 week 1
- term 1 week 5
- term 2 week 1
- Enrolment intake 2 (mid-year):
- term 3 week 1
- term 3 week 5
- term 4 week 1
NOTE: Aboriginal children and children in care can start any time after their third birthday and do not need to wait for these start dates.
