Our preschool
Applying for a Place in Our Public Preschool
We are proud to offer a nurturing, play-based preschool that gives children a high-quality start to school life. Our preschool is part of Sarah Redfern Public School and is a popular choice for families, with places up to 40 children per day, considering our community needs. Children do not need to reside in the school’s catchment or intake zone to enrol. Families interested in enrolment must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
New Expression of Interest Process for 2027:
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Sarah Redfern Preschool 2027 will open at 9:00am on Wednesday 22 April 2026. Applications cannot be accepted before this time. All EOIs will be time and date stamped upon receipt.
Step 1: Submit an EOI
Families submit an NSW Department of Education Expression of Interest to enrol in a NSW Public Preschool via email or in person at the school office.
Step 2: Email confirming receipt of EOI and next steps to follow
After you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI), you will receive an email confirming that we have received it, along with instructions on what to do next.
While waiting for this email, please prepare all the documents listed here in the required documentation.
It is essential that all required documents are ready and submitted with your child’s EOI. Only then will your application be considered complete and move forward to the placement panel.
When you receive your confirmation email, you will be asked to visit the school office to submit the required documentation as noted above. Families will be asked to indicate their preferred preschool attendance group (for example, Group 1, Group 2, or no preference) - see Attendance Pattern below for group details in this regard.
Important:
• Please wait for the confirmation email with further instructions on next steps required.
• EOIs cannot be considered by the placement panel unless ALL required documents have been submitted.
• All documentation must be presented to the school by 2:00pm on Monday 22 June 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Step 3: EOI Panel reviews applications
At the end of the EOI period, a panel led by the principal reviews applications and allocates places according to the priority criteria. All panel members declare any conflicts of interest to ensure the process is fair.
Priority of Enrolment
Children can enrol in preschool from the beginning of the school year if they turn 4 years of age on or before 31 July of that year. In line with the NSW Department of Education’s Preschool Enrolment Policy, priority is given to children in the local community who may be disadvantaged or have limited access to other early childhood education. The principal prioritises offers of enrolment for the following categories:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children
- children living in low socio-economic circumstances
- children unable to access other early childhood services due to disadvantage or financial hardship
If places remain, the principal of the school will then offer enrolment in the following order:
- children living with the school’s enrolment area
- children living outside the school’s intake area and who have siblings enrolled in the school
- children living outside the school’s enrolment intake area
Attendance Pattern
To ensure every child receives 600 hours of preschool education each year (15 hours per week), we offer two attendance groups which consists of a 5-day fortnight program, with 3 days one week and 2 days in the alternate week for 2 separate groups of children:
Group 1
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday then Monday, Tuesday in the alternate week
Group 2
- Thursday, Friday then Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in the alternate week
Vaccination Requirements
Children must be fully vaccinated for their age, on a recognised catch-up schedule or have a valid medical exemption. Children turning four must provide updated vaccination evidence after their birthday to continue attending.
Immunisation is a safe and effective way to protect individuals against harmful communicable diseases and helps to prevent the spread of these diseases among the community. The Department of Health asks that all children be immunised against diseases that Australia has eradicated. A copy of your child’s Immunisation History Statement will be required PRIOR to enrolment in the preschool. If your child has not turned four years of age upon commencement of preschool, you MUST provide the school with a copy of the updated Immunisation History Statement showing their four-year vaccination, within one calendar month after their fourth birthday. To read more about the Department of Education's Immunisation Policy click here.
Diverse Learning and Wellbeing Needs of children
Children with disabilities are eligible to apply for enrolment on the same basis as other children. During enrolment, the principal considers each child's diverse learning and wellbeing needs—including cultural, language, disability, developmental, trauma, and child protection factors—to identify any additional support required. This includes assessing health and safety risks, disclosed wellbeing and health needs (such as previous emergency responses), necessary adjustments for disabilities, learning needs, and other special circumstances.
Parents are encouraged to provide as much information as possible to help us effectively support their child's additional learning needs.
Waiting List
If your child is not offered a place, they will be placed on a waiting list according to the priority criteria. If a vacancy occurs during the year, a place is offered to the child with the highest priority on the waitlist.
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 four years of age on or before 31 July that year.
Please note the preschool is closed at the beginning of each term for school development days, along with other public holidays. Refer to the Preschool Calendar for correct closure days.
We work in partnership with families and the community to ensure every child is set up for success – socially, emotionally, and academically – creating a strong foundation for their future schooling and lifelong learning.
We are proud to be part of a public education system that prioritises high-quality early learning and continuous improvement.
Enrolment at Sarah Redfern Preschool
Unlike NSW public schools, public preschools do not have designated intake areas—enrolment is by application only.
Please note that enrolling in a preschool located on a school site does not guarantee a Kindergarten place at that school.
For more information, you can refer to the Enrolment in NSW Public Preschools Procedure by clicking on this link click here.
Supporting Documents Required
Details of supporting documents required when submitting an Expression of Interest Form are listed on the back of the form. Below is a summary of some of the documents required:
- Child’s birth certificate or passport
- Visa documentation, Visa Sub Class and Expiry Date (if applicable)
- Child’s immunisation history statement see below for further details.
- Proof of address – driver's licence and two utility bills
- Low Income Health care card (if applicable)
Age Requirements
Children can enrol if they turn 4 years old on or before 31 July of the year they start. Sarah Redfern Preschool offers one year of preschool, the year before Kindergarten.
Please note, attending our preschool does not guarantee a place in Kindergarten at Sarah Redfern Public School.
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.
What makes our school great?
Our school is a place where children and families feel genuinely welcomed, supported, and valued. Several key strengths set us apart:
- Exceptional care and educational programs:
Our preschool team provides high-quality early learning experiences designed to nurture each child’s social, emotional, and academic development.
Children are supported, encouraged, and challenged in ways that help them thrive.
- A seamless start to schooling:
Having an on-site preschool ensures a smooth and familiar transition into Kindergarten. Our staff work closely across preschool and school settings, helping children feel confident and ready as they move into their primary years. - A strong, close-knit community:
We pride ourselves on the warm relationships that exist between children, families, and staff. Every child and family is known, cared for, and supported. Decisions are always made with each child’s best interests at heart, and this sense of belonging is at the core of everything we do. - Inclusive education at every level:
Our commitment to inclusion extends across our entire school, including our Support Classes. We have talented, dedicated staff who work across preschool, support classes, and mainstream settings to ensure every student is provided with meaningful opportunities to grow, succeed, and feel valued.
Together, these elements create a nurturing, inclusive, and high-quality preschool and school environment—one that many families choose for its strong sense of community and its focus on giving every child the best possible start.
Continuous Improvement in the Preschool
Sarah Redfern Preschool operates under the National Quality Framework (NQF), which ensures a consistent, high standard of education and care across Australia. The NQF sets expectations for regulation, assessment, and continuous quality improvement in all early childhood services.
The National Quality Framework (NQF) sets the national benchmark for early childhood education and care across Australia. It outlines the standards and expectations that guide how services are regulated, assessed, and continuously improved. Under the NQF:
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Regulation: Services must meet specific legal requirements for health, safety, staffing, educator qualifications, learning programs, and physical environments. Each service is monitored by state and territory regulatory authorities to ensure children are safe, supported, and receiving high-quality care.
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Assessment & Rating: All early childhood services are assessed against the National Quality Standard (NQS). They receive a quality rating that reflects how well they meet national benchmarks in areas such as educational practice, relationships with children, leadership, and partnerships with families.
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Continuous Quality Improvement: Services are expected to continually review their practices and work towards higher standards through an ongoing Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). This ensures that children receive the best possible learning experiences in environments that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to their needs.
Overall, the NQF helps families feel confident that early childhood services operate to consistent, high-quality standards across the country.
To view our Compliance and Quality History Statement click here.
To read more about the Department of Education's National Quality Framework, including Assessment, Ratings & Quality Improvement, click here
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