When choosing between kindy or childcare WA families often ask the same question as their child approaches four: which one, or both? In Western Australia the two are different things that often work side by side. Here is how the WA school system handles kindergarten, and where long day care fits.
What is kindy in WA?
In Western Australia, Kindergarten, usually called kindy, is the year before Pre-primary. It is run through schools. According to the WA Department of Education, children can attend Kindergarten if they are 4 years old by 30 June of that year.
The Department’s Kindergarten booklet says all children can access 15 hours of kindergarten per week, or 30 hours per fortnight. In practice this is usually spread over a few days, with hours and days set by each school.
Is kindy compulsory?
No. Kindergarten is not compulsory in WA. Compulsory schooling starts in Pre-primary, when children are 5 years old by 30 June of that year. That said, many families choose kindy as a helpful first step into school life.
What is long day care?
Long day care is centre based early education and care for children from babies through to school age. Centres are usually open for long hours on weekdays. Our centres in Fremantle and Maddington are open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm. Long day care is approved under the National Quality Framework, and eligible families can receive the Child Care Subsidy towards the cost.
What is the difference?
The biggest practical difference is hours. Kindy runs for set school hours on certain days, while long day care covers a full working day, five days a week. Kindy follows the school term calendar, while long day care generally operates year round apart from public holidays.
The setting is different too. Kindy is part of a school. Long day care is a separate early learning service with children of a wider age range.
Can my child do both?
Yes, and many children do. A common pattern is kindy on its days and long day care on the other days of the week, which gives children a taste of school while working families keep full day care. Some families find it helps to choose a childcare centre with good links to the local schools their child might attend.
How Montessori fits in
At Orchard Montessori, our 3 to 5 year old group gives children time to build independence, concentration and early skills in a calm, prepared room. For children who also attend kindy, this can be a good balance of two settings, each doing what it does well.
Things to think about
Consider your work hours, travel between kindy and childcare, and how your child copes with change. Some children love the variety, while others do better with fewer transitions in a week. Talk with your local school and your childcare centre about what might suit your child.
Where to check the details
Enrolment rules and dates can change, so check the WA Department of Education website or speak with your local school about kindy enrolments. You can read more about our approach and age groups on our About page.
A typical week for a four year old
Here is one way families combine the two. A child might attend kindy on the days set by the local school, and long day care on the remaining weekdays. On kindy days, some families arrange before or after school care or pick up themselves. Days and hours vary between schools, so check your school’s timetable before planning childcare days around it.
It is also worth asking your childcare centre how they support children who attend kindy, for example by keeping a consistent routine on the days they are there.
Getting ready for the step to school
Whether your child attends kindy, long day care or both, the year before Pre-primary is a good time to build independence. Encourage your child to open their own lunchbox, manage their bag, use the toilet on their own and follow simple instructions. These everyday skills make the move to school far smoother. In a Montessori room, many of them are practised daily as part of practical life.
To see how this works day to day, book a tour at our Fremantle centre on 08 9336 4965 or our Maddington centre on 08 9493 5071, or send us a message through our contact page.
