WESTERN AUSTRALIA
OVERVIEW
In Western Australia (WA), 'Kindergarten' is the term used for the educational programs provided to children in the year or two before full-time schooling which is referred to within this manual as 'preschool'. 'Pre-primary' is the term used for a child's first year of full-time school (i.e. pre-Year 1 year). Children in WA are eligible to enrol in a preschool program at the beginning of the year in which they will turn 4 years old on or prior to 30 June. The provision of preschool education is generally integrated with school education in WA.
Preschool is provided in nearly all schools which cater for WA primary school aged children. Preschool is provided in both the government and non-government sectors, and in a small number of community and independent preschools.
LEGISLATION AND LICENSING
Under WA legislation, the School Education Act 1999 (WA), a program is recognised as a preschool program if it is provided within a school setting.
All teachers (including early childhood teachers in schools and services that operate under provisions of the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) 2012 are required to be registered by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) Early childhood teachers are required to hold a qualification deemed suitable by the TRBWA and by the National Law.
SECTOR DESCRIPTIONS
Preschool
Service providers in WA that offer a preschool program as their main type of activity have the following management arrangements.
Government Managed
Government managed preschool programs are provided in all public schools which cater for primary school aged children. Government preschools in WA are funded by the WA Department of Education (WA DoE) and are operated from public schools and Independent public schools. These preschools are operated under the School Education Act, as well as the School Education Regulations 2000.
WA also regards community-based preschools as government managed preschools. Community-based preschools are registered by the Minister of Education and are staffed, funded and quality assured by the public education system. Parent management committees are responsible for financial management and daily operations in these preschools. Community-based preschools which have been registered under the School Education Act are bound by the conditions of this Act, as well as the School Education Regulations.
Non-government Managed
Independent schools: Independent schools are registered by the Minister under the School Education Act and their programs are quality assured by the WA Department of Education Services (WA DES). All Independent schools with preschool programs receive a per capita grant from WA DES for age-eligible children enrolled at the school. Independent schools operate under the School Education Act, as well as the School Education Regulations.
Catholic schools: Catholic schools are registered by the Minister under the School Education Act. Through a formal agreement with WA DES, their programs are quality assured by the Catholic Education Office of WA. All Catholic schools with preschool programs receive a per capita grant from WA DES for age-eligible children enrolled at the school. Catholic preschools operate under the School Education Act, as well as the School Education Regulations.
Long Day Care
Service providers in WA that offer long day care as their main type of activity and may also offer and deliver a preschool program have the following management arrangements.
Long Day Care with a Preschool Program
Private for-profit: Non-school preschool programs in LDCs operate under provisions of the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) 2012 and their teachers must be registered (by June 2014) with the TRBWA. As non-schools, LDCs do not receive operational funding from the State however CCB/CCR fund relief for families are applicable. Education regulations and quality assurance mechanisms that apply to schools do not apply to preschool programs in LDCs.
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