About our preschool
Enrolment at Thomas Acres Public Preschool is not yet open.
We look forward to informing families when they can start submitting an expression of interest form to our school office, which is expected to be approximately 1 term before the preschool opens.
Families seeking to enrol their child in our public preschool should firstly contact our school office for more information about our enrolment procedure.
The NSW Government has made a commitment to build 100 public preschools by Term 1 2027. Our school has been selected to receive one of the new 100 public preschools.
As part of this commitment, Thomas Acres Public Preschool will soon welcome children into a supportive, play-based learning environment within our whole school community. Our preschool will be a valued part of our school and give children the best start in learning.
At our preschool, children will explore, ask questions and learn through play. Our staff support children to have a positive transition into kindergarten. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our preschool when it opens. Contact us to talk to our friendly staff, see our facilities and learn about what our preschool can offer your child.
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Preschool hours and classes
Our preschool will operate the same days and hours as our whole school. The preschool will not be open during school holidays.
Fee-free preschool
Our public preschool will be free to attend. Start Strong funding is not used to subsidise fees at public preschools and may still be accessed by families at other early childhood education and care services.
Learning in our preschool
Our preschool will be an approved early childhood education and care service and operate under the National Quality Framework.
We will provide a secure and positive learning environment for your child. Our learning program will enable your child to engage in age-appropriate, play-based learning experiences. Our program will be guided by the Early Years Learning Framework.
Procedures
There is a range of preschool policies and procedures to ensure children receive high quality education and care. More information will be provided to parents when your child is offered a place. Please contact us for more information.
Why choose our public preschool?
Our public preschool is a fee-free preschool at Thomas Acres Public School. It’s an easy choice for local families with young children.
We give every child the start in early childhood education. At our preschool, children explore, ask questions and grow in a safe and caring place. Our friendly team helps each child learn and feel good through fun, hands-on play that builds confidence and curiosity.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our preschool. Contact us to talk to our team, book a tour or join our waitlist.
Preschool days and hours
Our preschool is open for 6 hours a day, on the same days as all NSW public schools.
We will consult with our community about the attendance pattern offered to ensure each child is offered 600 hours of preschool over the year (or 15 hours a week). Once decided, we will update this section of our website accordingly.
Approved attendance patterns to consider are:
- a 5-day fortnight program, with children attending 3 days one week and 2 days in the alternate week (18 hours one week and 12 hours the next)
- alternate semesters or terms, with children attending 2 days a week in one term or semester, and 3 days in the alternate term or semester.
Immunisation
Preschools cannot enrol a child unless their family provides an Australian Immunisation Register Immunisation History Statement form that shows their child:
- is fully immunised for their age
- has a medical reason not to be vaccinated
- is on a recognised catch-up schedule.
There is a 12-week temporary exemption for supply of the Immunisation History Statement for:
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
- a child evacuated during a state of emergency
- a child in out-of-home care.
Birth certificates
Families must provide evidence of their child's full name and date of birth. However, if no birth certificate is available, this can be shown through a secondary document, for example:
- passport
- Immicard
- Blue Book or Personal health record
- hospital birth card
- baptism, christening, name giving or similar record.
If none of these documents are available, a statuary declaration can be supplied stating the date of birth of the child and the reason why such a document is not available.
Fees
We do not charge fees to attend our preschool. NSW public preschools are funded by the NSW government.
Attendance
Public preschools enrol children for one year only, the year before they start school.
Children can enrol from the beginning of the school year if they turn 4 years of age before 31 July that year.
Meals
Children bring their own meals and snacks to preschool. For more information, please contact us.
How to enrol
Unlike NSW public schools, there are no intake areas for public preschools. Enrolment is on application only.
Enrolling in a preschool within a school does not guarantee a place at that school for Kindergarten.
How to enrol
Expressions of interest (EOIs) to enrol at Thomas Acres Public Preschool are not yet open. We will advise the school community once EOIs open.
Public preschools enrol children for one year only, the year before they start school. Children can enrol from the beginning of the school year if they turn 4 years of age before 31 July that year.
Unlike NSW public schools, there are no enrolment boundaries for public preschools. Children do not need to live in our school’s local enrolment intake area to apply.
Enrolment in a preschool class does not guarantee a place in Kindergarten at our school. School Finder can help families find their local public school. For more information, please contact our school office or visit Enrolment in a public preschool page.
- Families can express interest in enrolling their child by completing and submitting to the school an Expression of interest to enrol in a NSW public preschool (PDF 911 KB).
- If more expressions of interest are received than available places, the school principal will form a placement panel to assess these.
- The placement panel will offer enrolment to children according to the priorities listed in the Enrolment in public preschools procedure.
- Families offered a place for their child will be asked to complete the Application to enrol in a NSW public preschool (PDF 713 KB) and supply supporting documentary evidence.
- Translated versions of the preschool enrolment application are available.
Book a tour or join our waitlist
Come and see our preschool in action. Talk to our team and secure your child’s place.
School calendar
Our school hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from fun-filled celebrations to educational excursions.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover clubs, sports and other activities your child can enjoy at school.