Attending Kindergarten and pre-primary

Kindergarten and pre-primary are not compulsory but most Western Australian children attend because it helps give them the best start to school. 

There is a place for all eligible children in kindergarten and pre-primary programs in public schools. Wherever possible this place will be at your local intake school.

To start kindergarten, children must turn four years old by 30 June of the year they attend. Kindergarten is 11 hours a week which may be two full days, four half days or one full day and two half days.

Use this easy calculator to find out when you can enrol your child in kindergarten or pre-primary school.

While many kindergarten programs are offered on the school site, some programs are run ‘off-site’ close to the school. Kindergarten programs are also offered through community kindergartens. Should you require further information please contact Margaret Waterton on (08) 9264 8133 or by email.

To attend pre-primary, children must turn five years old by 30 June of the year they attend. Pre-primary is five full days.

Applications for kindergarten and pre-primary may be lodged throughout the school year for entry the following year.

You can apply at any public primary school, community kindergarten or district high school.

Some schools may get more applications than they have places. Talk with your school about how applications are prioritised. If a place is not available, the school will help you apply to another school close by.
 

Getting ready for school

Some children find the first days of kindergarten daunting. There are some simple things you can do to help ease them into school life.

• Read stories with your child about starting school.
• Go past the school and chat with your child about how they will soon be going there, the exciting things they will do and the friends they will make.
• Make time to visit school together - contact the school first to find out a suitable time.
• Spend time at school looking at all the fun activities going on.
• When you’re at school, show your child where their bag will go, where the toilets are and other things to get them used to school.
• Go shopping together to buy a special lunch box and drink bottle.

Helping children have a positive first experience of school is important because it can help shape the way they think about school in the future.

Once school starts, be actively involved yourself. Children love it when their mum or dad comes along to help with reading and other activities.

Your ongoing support will help them build strong foundations for success at school.
 

Reading books about starting school

Below is a list of books about starting school that you can read with your child. 

Billy and the big new school by Catherine and Laurence Anhold (Orchard Books)
Buzzy had a little lamb by Harriet Ziefert and Emily Bolam (Blue Apple Books)
Fiona the pig’s big day by Leigh Hobbs (Penguin/Viking)
First day by Margaret Wild and Kim Gamble (Allen & Unwin)
I am too absolutely small for school by Lauren Child (Orchard Books)
Meet the Barkers: Morgan and Moffat go to school by Tomie de Paola (Putman)
Mr Ouchy’s first day by BG Hennessy and Paul Meisel (Putnam)
Tom goes to kindergarten by Margaret Wild and David Legge (ABC Books)
When an elephant comes to school by Jan Ormerod (Lincoln)
Who will go to school today? by Karl Ruhmann and Miriam Monnier (North-South)

Aboriginal kindergartens

Aboriginal kindergartens operate in 28 schools around the State, providing early learning programs for three and four year old Aboriginal children. Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers help teachers implement culturally appropriate early childhood programs. Transport is provided in some schools to help families access the program.