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    When can your child start preschool?

    There are specific ages to start preschool.

    Enter your child's birth date into the calculator to find out when your child can start preschool.

    This calculator will show the year your child can start their year-before-school preschool entitlement.

    This calculator does not give a universal 3-year-old preschool starting year as 3-year-old preschool will roll out at different times between 2026 and 2032.

    Generally, children whose birthday is:

    • before 1 May are eligible to start preschool at the beginning of the year
    • between 1 May to 31 October are eligible to commence preschool at the start of term 3 (called mid-year-intake)
    • after 31 October will be eligible to commence preschool at the start of the following year.

    For universal 3-year-old preschool programs, children must be 3 years of age before they can start. Your preschool will provide advice on start dates during the enrolment process.