Kindergarten & Pre-School

Yes — the terminology varies by state. For example, in New South Wales, "pre-school" is commonly used for the year before formal school, while in Victoria, "kindergarten" is used for both 3 year old kinder and 4 year old kindergarten.

At Aspire, we use both terms to ensure families across Australia can easily understand our programs.

Children typically begin 3 year old kinder at age 3 and 4 year old kindergarten or pre-school at age 4.

The exact age cut-off dates can differ depending on your state. We recommend visiting your state’s page on our website for detailed guidance.

While kindergarten and pre-school are not compulsory, attending a quality early learning program is highly recommended. It helps children build essential social, emotional, and academic skills for a confident start to school.

Most children attend two years — starting with 3 year old kinder, followed by 4 year old kindergarten or pre-school.

Aspire offers a seamless two-year program to support your child’s development and school readiness.

We offer flexible attendance options through our long daycare kindergarten model. Many families choose between 2 to 5 days a week, depending on their needs. Our team can help you choose the right schedule for your child.

Yes — many Aspire centres offer both programs under one roof, allowing for a smooth, consistent learning journey from pre-school age through to kindergarten age and beyond.

Kindergarten and pre-school fees vary based on the number of days your child attends care, your centre’s daily fees, and your eligibility for Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

Aspire is a CCS-approved provider, which means eligible families can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Check out our Aspire CCS Calculator, which provides an estimate of your childcare subsidy and calculates your out-of-pocket costs.

Yes! Aspire is a registered long daycare kindergarten provider, which means eligible families can access the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to help cover the cost of our kindergarten and pre-school programs.

Yes, most states offer some form of government funding for 3 year old kinder and 4 year old kindergarten. Aspire’s programs are aligned with government funding guidelines, and we’ll help you understand what your family may be eligible for.

Absolutely. Aspire welcomes children of all abilities. We work closely with families and specialists to provide inclusive support and tailored learning experiences for children with additional needs.

Yes! We offer personalised tours and orientation sessions to help your child and family feel comfortable and confident before starting. It’s a great way to meet our team, see our learning environments, and ask questions.

Enrolling is simple — you can book a tour, contact your local Aspire centre, or visit us in person. Our team will guide you through the enrolment process and answer any questions about kindergarten age, funding, or CCS.

Otherwise you can call the friendly enrolments team on 1800 978 429. 

At Aspire, we offer breakfast, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea and cater these meals to each age group. All food is provided by the centre and prepared fresh each day on the premises by our qualified chef who prepares the children’s meals according to the nutritional needs of children as per the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

Our approach caters to picky eaters, food preferences, and cultural diversity, ensuring every child’s needs are met.

We recommend bringing a labelled bag with spare clothes, water bottle, and any comfort items your child may need. We provide nutritious meals, nappies (if needed), and all educational resources.

Aspire uses regular updates, learning journals, and our parent communication app Kinderm8 (Storypark) to keep families engaged in their child’s progress. Our educators provide insights into learning, development, wellbeing, and daily activities.

At Aspire, we know that starting kindergarten or pre-school is a big step — for both children and families. That’s why we create a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, loved, and supported from day one. Through flexible orientation sessions and secure attachments with our educators, children develop the confidence they need to explore, engage, and grow. 

Our play-based programs focus on building independence, emotional regulation, and strong communication skills. We support early literacy through storytime, songs, and meaningful conversations, encouraging children to express themselves, ask questions, and develop a love for language. Our classrooms are also vibrant social spaces, where children make friendships, learn to collaborate, and feel a strong sense of belonging.

To support real school readiness, we actively partner with local schools to understand their expectations, routines, and transition programs. This allows us to tailor our 3 year old kinder and 4 year old kindergarten experiences to help children feel confident and capable when it’s time for the next big step. Aspire children leave with the tools they need — academically, socially, and emotionally — to thrive in the big world ahead.

As a long daycare kindergarten, Aspire offers extended hours to support busy families — typically from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Exact hours may vary by centre.

Yes, Aspire follows the National Early Years Learning Framework, delivering a high-quality curriculum that supports development across literacy, numeracy, STEM, creativity, and social-emotional learning.