Creating a positive and engaging kindergarten environment is crucial for supporting the holistic development of young children.
Carefully curated Kindy Environment for
4 - 5 Years
At this stage, children are preparing for school. The focus is on refining social skills, fostering independence, and introducing more complex problem-solving and literacy and numeracy activities. Educators work with children to develop self-regulation, cooperation, and critical thinking.
Getting Started with Kindergarten at Eden Academy
Our Kindergarten program offers a familiar, nurturing space where your child can learn, grow, and explore alongside friends from Pre-Kindy and trusted educators who’ve been part of their Eden journey from the start.
Queensland
What age do children start kindergarten in QLD?
- Starting age: To attend Kindergarten in 2026, your child must have turned 4 by 30 June 2026.
- Start date: Kindergarten starts on 28 January 2026. It runs alongside the Queensland school terms.
- Number of days per week: Our Transition to School program runs Monday to Friday each week. Children are required to attend 15 hours per week across three days, 40 weeks of the year. You can then book additional days as you like.
- Enrolment cut-off date: If choosing the full year program, you must enrol before 10 January 2025. However, spots fill fast, so the earlier you enrol, the more likely you will secure your spot!
- Mid-year enrolment: Children can enrol anytime during the year but studies strongly recommended at least one year of Kindergarten before they begin primary school.
How much does kindergarten cost in QLD?
- Calculate your Child Care Subsidy to understand your out of pocket fees.
- You may be eligible for Free Kindy 15 hours a week, 40 weeks per year through the Queensland Government funding program. Conditions apply.
South Australia
What age do children start kindergarten in SA?
- Starting age: Kindergarten is eligible for children who are at least 4 years of age by 1 May in the year they participate.
- Start date: Kindergarten runs alongside the South Australian school terms with Term 1 beginning on 28 January 2026.
- How many days a week: We run Kindergarten programs Monday to Friday, with each child needing to attend 15 hours a week (usually across 3 days). You can then book additional days flexibly.
- Enrolment cut-off date: You must enrol before 28 January 2026 – but the earlier the better, spots fill fast.
- Is there a mid-year enrolment? Yes, children who turn 4 years of age before 31 October are eligible to start Kindergarten mid-year the same year (term 3) on 21 July in 2025 and 22 July in 2026.
How much does kindergarten cost in SA?
- Check your local Centre’s hourly care rates for fees.
- Calculate your Child Care Subsidy benefits to understand your out of pocket fees.
Did You Know…
Nearly all of our Eden centres in South Australia are approved for 4-Year-Old Kindergarten funding. This funding comes directly to Eden Academy, allowing us to invest in excellent resources and employ passionate Early Childhood Teachers – all to give your child the very best start.
Victoria
What age do children start kindergarten in VIC?
- Starting age: To attend kinder in Victoria in 2026, your child must be at least 3 years of age by 30 April 2026.
- Start date: Kinder runs alongside the Victorian school terms, with Term 1 beginning on 27 January 2026.
- How many days a week: Our Kinder School Readiness program runs Monday to Friday. Children are required to attend 15 hours per week across three days, with the option to book additional days if needed.
- Enrolment cut-off date: If choosing the full-year program, you must enrol before 10 January 2026. Spots fill quickly, so enrolling early gives you the best chance of securing a place.
- Is there a mid-year enrolment? Children can enrol at any time during the year. However, research strongly recommends at least one – and preferably two – years of kindergarten before starting primary school to support confidence, social connection and emotional wellbeing.
How much does kindergarten cost in VIC?
- Use the Child Care Subsidy calculator to understand your out-of-pocket fees.
- Families may also be eligible to save up to $2,101 per child, per year through the Victorian Government’s Best Start Best Life funding program.
- At Eden, this funding is passed directly on to families, reducing weekly fees by around $50 per week across the 41-week school term (funding does not apply during school holidays).
- This appears clearly on your statement as “VIC Kinder Grant”, so you can see exactly how the funding supports your child’s early learning.
- Free Kinder helps make early learning more accessible for families, while we continue to focus on what we do best – caring, connection and quality learning experiences. Read more about Free Kinder here.
Conditions apply.
New South Wales
What age do children start kindergarten in NSW?
- Starting age: Preschool is eligible for children who are at least 3 years of age by 31 July 2026.
- Start date: Preschool runs alongside the New South Wales school terms with Term 1 beginning from 31 January 2026 (Eastern division) and 7 February 2026 (Western division).
- Number of days per week: Our preschool School Readiness program runs Monday to Friday each week. Children are required to attend 15 hours per week. You can then book additional days as you like.
- Enrolment cut-off date: If choosing the full year program, you must enrol before 10 January 2026. However, spots fill fast, so the earlier you enrol, the more likely you will secure your spot!
- Is there a mid-year enrolment? Children can enrol anytime during the year but studies strongly recommended at least one, but preferably two years of preschool before they begin primary school.
How much does kindergarten cost in NSW?
- Calculate your Child Care Subsidy to understand your out of pocket fees.
- You may be eligible to save up to $2,563 (for a 4 year-old) per child every year through the NSW Government’s Start Strong Funding Program. Conditions apply.
- The NSW Government is encouraging families to extend preschool over two years. Children who turn three on or before July 31st of their first preschool year, will receive an additional $769 off preschool fees on top of existing subsidies in that year.
Queensland
What age do children start kindergarten in QLD?
- Starting age: To attend Kindergarten in 2026, your child must have turned 4 by 30 June 2026.
- Start date: Kindergarten starts on 28 January 2026. It runs alongside the Queensland school terms.
- Number of days per week: Our Kindergarten Approved School Readiness program runs Monday to Friday each week. Children are required to attend 15 hours per week across three days, 40 weeks of the year. You can then book additional days as you like.
- Enrolment cut-off date: If choosing the full year program, you must enrol before 10 January 2026. However, spots fill fast, so the earlier you enrol, the more likely you will secure your spot!
- Mid-year enrolment: Children can enrol anytime during the year but studies strongly recommended at least one year of Kindergarten before they begin primary school.
How much does kindergarten cost in QLD?
- Calculate your Child Care Subsidy to understand your out of pocket fees.
- You may be eligible for Free Kindy 15 hours a week, 40 weeks per year through the Queensland Government funding program. Conditions apply.
South Australia
What age do children start kindergarten in SA?
- Starting age: Kindergarten is eligible for children who are at least 4 years of age by 1 May in the year they participate.
- Start date: Kindergarten runs alongside the South Australian school terms with Term 1 beginning on 28 January 2026.
- How many days a week: We run Kindergarten programs Monday to Friday, with each child needing to attend 15 hours a week (usually across 3 days). You can then book additional days flexibly.
- Enrolment cut-off date: You must enrol before 28 January 2026 – but the earlier the better, spots fill fast.
- Is there a mid-year enrolment? Yes, children who turn 4 years of age before 31 October are eligible to start Kindergarten mid-year the same year (term 3) on 21 July in 2025 and 22 July in 2026.
How much does kindergarten cost in SA?
- Check your local Centre’s hourly care rates for fees.
- Calculate your Child Care Subsidy benefits to understand your out of pocket fees.
Did You Know…
Nearly all of our Eden centres in South Australia are approved for 4-Year-Old Kindergarten funding. This funding comes directly to Eden Academy, allowing us to invest in excellent resources and employ passionate Early Childhood Teachers – all to give your child the very best start.
Victoria
What age do children start kindergarten in VIC?
- Starting age: To attend kinder in Victoria in 2025, your child must be at least 3 years of age by 30 April 2026.
- Start date: Kinder runs alongside the Victorian school terms, with Term 1 beginning on 27 January 2026.
- How many days a week: Our Kinder School Readiness program runs Monday to Friday. Children are required to attend 15 hours per week across three days, with the option to book additional days if needed.
- Enrolment cut-off date: If choosing the full-year program, you must enrol before 10 January 2026. Spots fill quickly, so enrolling early gives you the best chance of securing a place.
- Is there a mid-year enrolment? Children can enrol at any time during the year. However, research strongly recommends at least one – and preferably two – years of kindergarten before starting primary school to support confidence, social connection and emotional wellbeing.
How much does kindergarten cost in VIC?
- Use the Child Care Subsidy calculator to understand your out-of-pocket fees.
- Families may also be eligible to save up to $2,101 per child, per year through the Victorian Government’s Best Start Best Life funding program.
- At Eden, this funding is passed directly on to families, reducing weekly fees by around $50 per week across the 41-week school term (funding does not apply during school holidays).
- This appears clearly on your statement as “VIC Kinder Grant”, so you can see exactly how the funding supports your child’s early learning.
- Free Kinder helps make early learning more accessible for families, while we continue to focus on what we do best – caring, connection and quality learning experiences. Read more about Free Kinder here.
Conditions apply.
New South Wales
What age do children start kindergarten in NSW?
- Starting age: Preschool is eligible for children who are at least 3 years of age by 31 July 2026.
- Start date: Preschool runs alongside the New South Wales school terms with Term 1 beginning from 31 January 2026 (Eastern division) and 7 February 2026 (Western division).
- Number of days per week: Our preschool School Readiness program runs Monday to Friday each week. Children are required to attend 15 hours per week. You can then book additional days as you like.
- Enrolment cut-off date: If choosing the full year program, you must enrol before 10 January 2026. However, spots fill fast, so the earlier you enrol, the more likely you will secure your spot!
- Is there a mid-year enrolment? Children can enrol anytime during the year but studies strongly recommended at least one, but preferably two years of preschool before they begin primary school.
How much does kindergarten cost in NSW?
- Calculate your Child Care Subsidy to understand your out of pocket fees.
- You may be eligible to save up to $2,563 (for a 4 year-old) per child every year through the NSW Government’s Start Strong Funding Program. Conditions apply.
- The NSW Government is encouraging families to extend preschool over two years. Children who turn three on or before July 31st of their first preschool year, will receive an additional $769 off preschool fees on top of existing subsidies in that year.
