SA Preschool
Free 4-year-old preschool — and 3-year-old preschool rolling out.
program
Preschool
hours per week
15 hours/week
hours per year
600 hours/year (15 hours/week)
4-year-old age cutoff
turning 4 by 1 May of the preschool year
3-year-old access
yes
cost
$0 for 4-year-old preschool at government services. contributions for materials and excursions may apply.
eligibility
all SA children meeting the age cutoff. preschool follows the zoned school for your address.
delivery
delivered through SA government preschools (attached to DfE schools) and Catholic/independent preschools
how to enrol
enrol at your local preschool. registration typically opens in Term 2 of the year before preschool.
3-year-old program
3-year-old preschool is rolling out in 2026 for Aboriginal children and eligible priority groups, with universal rollout by 2032
important notes
- •3-year-old preschool rollout began in 2026 with targeted groups — universal access is planned by 2032
- •SA preschool typically aligns with the government school term structure
- •independent and Catholic preschools may charge fees — the 600 hours/year free entitlement applies to government services
authority: SA Department for Education
check the official pagecompare all states
free kinder and preschool programs across Australia
information sourced from SA Department for 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.