Preschool vs kindergarten vs daycare: what's the difference?

The terms preschool, kindergarten, and daycare often overlap and get used interchangeably in Australia. But they can mean quite different things depending on the state, the type of centre, and the family's needs.

Early childhood care is a major issue for households across Australia. According to the AIHW, around half of children aged 5 and under attend some form of approved childcare. Finding the right type isn't only about the kind of care your child needs, it's also about giving them the right start in development and education.

This guide explains the differences in plain language, focused on the NSW context.

Preschool in Australia

"Preschool" can be broken into "pre-" meaning "before" and "school". Most parents understand preschools as offering foundational learning for young children to prepare them for primary school.

That is what preschools offer, but it isn't only about preparation. Preschools are designed for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, the age at which they start becoming receptive to new concepts and to their environment. There is teaching involved, but the focus is less about how much they learn and more about how they learn.

All preschools across Australia use the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) as a guide. Play-based learning is central. Children in preschools are given opportunities to develop and explore their skills through play, including:

• Communication skills
• Emotional awareness
• Natural curiosity and inquiry
• Exposure to language and numbers
• Creativity
• Motor skills and independent movement

Preschools also provide childcare alongside education. Essential care like cleaning up, providing snacks, and constant supervision is built in. Preschool hours typically run 9am to 3pm or similar shorter days, although extended-hours programmes are available at many centres.

In summary: preschools combine educational programmes with child care, with the focus on learning.

Of our four centres, Roseville Kindergarten is the closest to a traditional preschool model, with a 9am-3pm core programme and extended hours from 8am to 5:30pm for families needing more.

Kindergarten (and why the word is confusing)

Kindergartens in Australia share some similarities with preschools, but the definition varies by state.

• In NSW, "kindergarten" is the first year of primary school for children aged 5 and above. It's part of school, not the year before. This is what causes most of the confusion.
• In Victoria, "kindergarten" describes government-funded programmes for children aged 3 and above to prepare them for school. Closer to what NSW calls preschool.
• In Queensland, "kindergarten" is the year before Prep (Prep being the first year of school).

To make things more confusing, "kindergarten" is also used in centre names, including some of our own. St Ives Chase Kindergarten and Roseville Kindergarten are not part of NSW primary school, despite the name. They are private early childhood centres for children aged 2.5-6 (St Ives Chase) and 3-6 (Roseville). Both predate the NSW shift to using "kindergarten" only for the first year of school.

If you're a NSW parent looking at a centre called something Kindergarten, check the age range and the hours. If they're caring for under-5s, it's a preschool in everything but name.

Daycare in Australia

Daycare (often called "long day care") is straightforward: a service designed to look after your child while you're unable to, whether because of work or other commitments.

While preschools and kindergartens have a focus on targeted learning, daycare's focus is care, plus learning that flows from the time spent at the centre. That doesn't mean daycares don't have learning programmes, they do, with the EYLF still as the guide. The structure tends to be more flexible and child-led.

Other differences:

• Age range. No age limit at the lower end (most centres take from 6 weeks). Preschools usually take children from 3 years.
• Hours. Daycare typically runs 7am-6pm to cover working hours. Preschool hours are shorter.
• Days. Daycare lets parents choose specific days (e.g. Mon/Wed/Fri). Preschool often expects attendance across the whole programme week.
• Weeks per year. Daycare is usually open 50 weeks per year. Preschool typically follows school terms.

Of our four centres, Normanhurst Child Care Centre and West Ryde Long Day Care Centre are long day care centres, with children from 6 weeks to 6 years across multiple rooms.

How to choose

So which one should you choose for your child? It depends on three things:

1. Your child's age and stage. Babies and toddlers go into long day care or family day care. Preschoolers (3-5) can go into either, but a preschool programme starts to make more sense as they approach school age.
2. Your work pattern. If you need 7am-6pm coverage, long day care fits. If you only need school-style hours, preschool might.
3. The fit with your family. A small kindergarten with the same staff for years feels different to a 100-place centre. Both can be excellent. Tour each one you're considering.

At Eikoh Seminar, we offer both models across our four centres in Normanhurst, West Ryde, St Ives Chase, and Roseville. Some families enrol siblings at different centres because each child fits a different model. Contact us to discuss which option works best for your family.