NSW Start Strong + Free Preschool
Free or heavily subsidised preschool for 3 and 4 year olds — Start Strong program.
program
Start Strong + Free Preschool
hours per week
15 hours/week in most community preschools
hours per year
up to 600 hours/year (community preschools); fee reductions in long day care preschool programs
4-year-old age cutoff
turning 4 by 31 July of the preschool year
3-year-old access
yes
cost
$0 at community preschools; significantly reduced in long day care preschool programs
eligibility
all NSW children meeting the age cutoff. no income test.
delivery
community preschools (fully free) and long day care preschool programs (fee reduction up to ~$4,220/year)
how to enrol
enrol directly at your preferred community preschool. NSW Department of Education maintains a searchable list.
3-year-old program
3-year-old preschool is also fee-free in community preschools under Start Strong
important notes
- •Start Strong was extended to 3-year-olds from 2023 at community preschools
- •LDC preschool programs get a separate Start Strong fee relief — the amount varies by age and service
- •fee relief applies on top of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
- •a small number of preschools charge a voluntary contribution for excursions, materials etc
authority: NSW Department of Education
check the official pagecompare all states
free kinder and preschool programs across Australia
information sourced from NSW Department of Education. state programs are updated regularly — always confirm current rules on the official page before enrolling. mini mode is not affiliated with any state education department.