Preschool program

A preschool program is a structured, play based learning program, delivered by a degree qualified teacher primarily aimed at children in the year before they commence full-time schooling, irrespective of the type of institution that provides it or whether it is government funded or privately provided. Programs may be delivered in a variety of service settings including separate preschools or kindergartens, long day care centres, in association with a school etc.

The terms most commonly used to describe preschool programs in states and territories are:

• Kindergarten – Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania.
• Kindergarten or Preschool – Victoria, South Australia.
• Preschool – New South Wales, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory.

A preschool program may or may not be delivered in such a way that meets the Universal Access goal. The requirements for Universal Access are listed below.

The National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood Education is a commitment to joint Commonwealth, State and Territory action to deliver universal access to quality early childhood education in the year before full-time schooling.

Universal access means that every child, in the year before they commence full-time school, has access to a preschool program that is:

• delivered by a four year university qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the National Early Years Learning Framework
• available for at least 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year
• delivered across a diversity of settings that meets the needs of parents and at a cost that does not present a barrier to participation.

Has been superseded by Early childhood education program Early Childhood, Superseded 01/06/2015

Child—maximum preschool program hours available, total hours N[N] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Child—preschool program attendance indicator, yes/no code N Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Child—preschool program enrolment indicator, yes/no code N Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014
Community Services (retired), Standard 19/09/2013

Child—preschool program enrolment indicator, yes/no code N Early Childhood, Superseded 08/04/2013

Child—preschool program fees charged per week, total Australian currency N[N(8)] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Child—preschool program hours attended (per week), total hours N[N] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Child—preschool program hours enrolled (per week), total hours N[N] Early Childhood, Superseded 08/04/2013

Child—preschool program hours enrolled (per week), total hours N[N] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014
Community Services (retired), Standard 19/09/2013

Child—preschool program received from a qualified teacher indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N Early Childhood, Superseded 08/04/2013

Child—preschool program received from a qualified teacher indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Person (employed)—hours worked in preschool program delivery, total hours NNN Early Childhood, Superseded 01/06/2015

Person (employed)—preschool program delivery indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described, code N Early Childhood, Standard 07/06/2011

Service provider organisation—maximum preschool program hours available per week, total hours N[N] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Service provider organisation—number of children attending a preschool program, total N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Service provider organisation—number of Indigenous children attending a preschool program, total number N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014
Indigenous, Endorsed 11/09/2012

Service provider organisation—number of Indigenous children enrolled in a preschool program, total N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014
Indigenous, Endorsed 08/04/2013

Service provider organisation—number of Indigenous children enrolled in a preschool program, total N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 08/04/2013
Indigenous, Archived 08/04/2013

Service provider organisation—number of preschool program enrolments, total number N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 08/04/2013

Service provider organisation—number of preschool program enrolments, total number N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Service provider organisation—number of preschool program hours enrolled, total hours N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014

Service provider organisation—number of preschool program hours enrolled, total hours N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 08/04/2013

Service provider organisation—preschool program attendance hours, total hours N[NNNN] Early Childhood, Superseded 28/05/2014