Children in NSW can start a preschool program in the year they turn 3 on or before 31 July. Preschool covers the two years before school, and most children start kindergarten in the year they turn 5 on or before 31 July.
If your child is born in winter, or you are planning for 2027, the rules can feel confusing. One date sits underneath all of them, so we have set out what it means for preschool, for fee relief in long day care and for starting school.
Your child's age on 31 July decides which preschool year they are in and the year they can start kindergarten.
How the 31 July cutoff works for preschool
Under the NSW Department of Education's 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care guidelines, a child is in the three-year-old preschool year if they are 3 and not yet 4 on 31 July. They are in the four-year-old year, the year before school, if they are 4 on or before 31 July and not yet at school.
The type of service also matters. Community preschools are funded for both three and four-year-olds, and from 2027 the NSW Government will fund both ages at the same rate. NSW public school preschools focus on the year before school, and children can enrol from the start of the year they turn 4 on or before 31 July.
When can my child start kindergarten?
The NSW Department of Education sets two rules. Children can start kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July that year, and every child must be in compulsory schooling by their sixth birthday.
Children born in June and July are among the youngest in their class when they start school. Some families give their child a second year in the year before school, provided the child is enrolled in school by their sixth birthday. If you are weighing this up, your child's preschool teacher sees how they manage across a whole year and is a good person to talk it through with.
Which preschool year is my child in for 2027?
| Date of birth | Age on 31 July 2027 | 2027 is their | Can start kindergarten |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024 | 3 | First preschool year | 2029 |
| 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023 | 4 | Year before school | 2028 |
| On or before 31 July 2022 | 5 | Kindergarten year | 2027 (must be enrolled by their sixth birthday) |
Kindergarten dates follow the NSW school starting rules. Preschool years follow the 31 July rule in the 2026 guidelines, and the NSW Department of Education will publish full 2027 guidelines for long day care.
How preschool fee relief works in long day care
Families with a child in a preschool program at an eligible long day care centre receive NSW Government fee relief on top of the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy. In 2026 this comes through Start Strong for Long Day Care, and it is applied as a weekly reduction to your fees after CCS.
From 2027, Start Strong for Long Day Care is replaced by a new program called Fee Relief for Long Day Care. On 19 October 2026 the NSW Government announced that families with preschool-aged children in long day care will be eligible for up to $2,625 per child in 2027. Fee relief for three-year-olds continues, and centres must run a preschool program for families to receive it.
| Year | Children aged 4 and above | Children aged 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,783 | $423 |
| 2027 | Up to $2,625 | Continues, rates to be published |
Source: NSW Department of Education 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care guidelines and the 19 October 2026 announcement.
Our Child Care Subsidy page explains how CCS works for families at Senses, including the 3 Day Guarantee.
Preschool at Senses
Our Preschool program in Milsons Point is led by a university qualified teacher and runs from 9am to 3pm each day, with a before and after preschool program from 7.30am and until 6pm. Learning follows Senses Ignite, our own curriculum, with time in the Art Studio and the Senses Kitchen Garden.
Children in their year before school also take part in Ignite : For School, a full calendar year of activities led by our Preschool Manager that supports the move to primary school. You can read more in our post on school readiness at Senses.
Planning for 2027? Our enrolments team can check your child's dates with you and talk through fees for your family.
Call 02 9003 1300, email enrolments@senseselc.com.au or book a tour. Our guide to questions to ask on a tour is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
What age does a child start preschool in NSW?
Children in NSW can start a preschool program in the year they turn 3 on or before 31 July. Preschool covers the two years before school. NSW public school preschools focus on the year before school, for children who turn 4 on or before 31 July.
Can a three-year-old go to preschool in NSW?
Yes. Long day care centres with a preschool program and community preschools take three-year-olds. NSW Government fee relief for three-year-olds in long day care continues in 2027.
What is the cutoff date for starting kindergarten in NSW?
Children can start kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July that year. Every child in NSW must be in compulsory schooling by their sixth birthday.
How much preschool fee relief can NSW families get in 2027?
The NSW Government announced on 19 October 2026 that families with preschool-aged children in long day care will be eligible for up to $2,625 per child in 2027 through the new Fee Relief for Long Day Care program, which replaces Start Strong for Long Day Care.
What is a Transition to School Statement?
The Transition to School Digital Statement is a NSW Department of Education record of a child's strengths and needs, completed by their early childhood teacher or educator and shared with families and the new school to support the move to kindergarten.
