Does my child need an additional year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep?

There are guidelines that your child’s kindergarten teacher will follow to assess their eligibility for an additional year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep.

During Three-Year-Old kindergarten or Pre-Prep, your kindergarten or Pre-Prep teacher will assess your child’s learning and plan for their transition to Four-Year-Old Kindergarten/Pre-Prep or school. As part of this your child’s teacher may identify learning and/or developmental areas that need additional support.

There may be a small number of children for whom an additional year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep is appropriate.

Your child may be eligible if:

your child’s teacher has found they have developmental delays in at least 2 key areas of learning and development
your child will have better outcomes at their current program level rather than transitioning on to Four-Year-Old Kindergarten/Pre-Prep or school.

Your child’s assessment

There are guidelines that kindergarten and Pre-Prep teachers must follow to assess your child’s eligibility for an additional year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep. These guidelines help the teacher identify your child’s learning needs and goals.

The learning and development areas assessed by kindergarten and Pre-Prep teachers include:

children have a strong sense of identity
children are connected with and contribute to their world
children have a strong sense of wellbeing
children are confident and involved learners
children are effective communicators
other factors may also be considered.

Your involvement

It’s important that you and your child’s teacher work together to achieve the best outcome for your child’s learning.

With your consent, the teacher will:

meet with you to discuss the requirements for an additional funded year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep and whether it is in the best interest of your child
develop a Term 3 Learning and Development Plan for your child, if delays in your child’s learning or development are identified
engage the support of other early childhood professionals as needed.

If your child’s teacher believes your child has a developmental delay in 2 or more key areas and would benefit from an additional year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep, they will talk to you about your options. If you agree, they will complete a ‘Declaration of Eligibility’ for an additional year of funded kindergarten or Pre-Prep. They will send the declaration to us (the department). You will also get a copy.

They will also complete an ‘Additional Year Statement’ with your help during Term 4.

Talk to your kindergarten service for more information or advice.

Get an exemption from school

Children are required to be enrolled in school in the year they turn 6 (compulsory school age). Attending an additional year of funded kindergarten or Pre-Prep may mean your child will need an exemption from school due to age.

If your child turns 6 while attending kindergarten or Pre-Prep, you must get an exemption from school by 1 November the year prior.

Education & training Parents & carers

Updated 26 March 2026

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Does my child need an additional year of kindergarten or Pre-Prep?

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