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This guide explains preschool enrolment so you can feel confident and prepared throughout each stage of the enrolment process.
Before you start, make sure you have:
- checked when your child can start preschool
- read our preschool eligibility guide
- found your local preschool based on the catchment area you live in
When to apply for preschool
Preschools have 2 major enrolment intakes each year. This means you can register for your child for intake 1 (start of the year) or intake 2 (mid-year intake).
Try to register your interest by 30 June (to start the following year), but you can do this at any time during the year.
Stages of enrolment
The enrolment process can be broken down into three main stages.
Stage 1 - registration of interest (ROI)
The first stage is registering your interest in attending preschool.
Registering interest does not guarantee an enrolment offer.
Registration of interest forms
Complete and submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) form for your child to be considered for a place at the preschool(s) of your choice.
Families can apply at more than 1 preschool. You should always apply at your local preschool in case your application to non-local preschools is not successful.
All government preschools will prioritise enrolment applications for children living in the preschool’s local catchment area. You can contact the preschool for a paper copy of the form.
You can contact the preschool for a paper copy of the relevant form or access them online:
Year-before-school (4-year-old) preschool
After registering
Your preschool will tell you when you can expect to find out if your application has been successful.
Preschools review ROI forms and assess eligibility based on:
- residential address
- age
- priority groups eg Aboriginal children, children in care
- other criteria.
If the preschool can offer your child a place, they will send you a formal offer and enrolment information.
Find out more about a specific preschool
Searching for a specific preschool and want the key details in one place? This tool lets you explore any department site in South Australia. Access contact information, student numbers, reports and more.
Stage 2 - offer acceptance and confirming enrolment
The second stage is where families formally accept offers from preschools.
If your preschool can offer your child a place, they will send you an offer of enrolment. You can accept the offer by filling in and sending back the acceptance slip by the due date.
After accepting the offer, your preschool will give you a detailed enrolment form. This is different to the form filled out at the registration of interest step.
The enrolment form will look slightly different depending on whether you are enrolling in a universal 3-year-old preschool program or a year-before-school preschool program.
Enrolment form guide
The information you give about your child must be true and factual. The preschool will ask for documentary evidence, or proof, before finalising the enrolment.
Essential documents checklist
Before you get started, make sure you have these documents:
- proof of child’s full legal name and date of birth:
- an official birth certificate or extract
- a passport or other travel document such as a visa, citizenship certificate or ImmiCard
- Centrelink or other official government documents with the child’s name and birth date.
- proof of residence
- other information including:
- immunisation history statement (or approved exemption)
- ImmiCard/visa
- any family law or court orders
- medical or health care plans.
More about proof of residence
You must give your child’s primary permanent home address, not a commercial, postal or mailing one.
If you own your home, you need to show both of these documents:
- contract of sale for the property or a recent council rates notice
- recent gas or electricity bill for the property.
If you rent a home, you need to show both of these documents:
- rental agreement and a bond receipt lodged with Consumer and Business Services showing the current place of residence. The rental agreement should cover at least the first 12 months at the school.
- recent gas or electricity bill for that property.
When a preschool is under enrolment pressure (or has a capacity management plan), there are additional considerations for local families who are applying to enrol:
- For children applying to start preschool for the next school year, the rental agreement must be current and cover the entire next preschool year.
- The rental agreement must be for the entire property. The renting of a room or rooms is not considered a primary place of residence.
- If your child is living with a relative or friend, the preschool will ask for supporting documents such as a parenting order from the family court confirming that the relative or friend is the child’s legal guardian.
- The preschool might ask you for other supporting documents to verify your child’s address, such as a driver’s licence.
All preschools will ask for residential documentation when they make an offer to enrol, or when the family is changing an address at the preschool.
If you cannot provide the requested documents, the preschool will decide about the legitimacy of the application. This might include asking you for other documents, to come to an interview, or to sign a statutory declaration.
Stage 3 - getting your child ready
Once preschools confirm all requirements are met and approved, your child’s place at the preschool is secured.
The preschool will confirm your child’s start date. Aboriginal children and children in care can start any time after their third birthday and do not need to wait for the major intake start dates.
Start dates
Year-before school preschool
For children enrolling in their year-before school preschool entitlement, this will generally be either week 1 term 1 (intake 1) or week 1 term 3 (mid-year intake).
3-year-old preschool
For children enrolling in universal 3-year-old preschool, children must be 3 years of age before they can start. Your child can start on the first of these dates after their third birthday:
Enrolment intake | Possible start dates |
|---|---|
Intake 1 (start of the year) | Term 1, week 1 |
Intake 2 (mid-year) | Term 3, week 1 |
Getting ready for preschool
Your preschool will provide you with information about preparing for preschool, including orientation visits or sessions to ensure a smooth transition when your child officially starts. Find out more about how to get prepared for preschool.
