In Queensland, a child must be at least 4 years old by 30 June in the year they start kindergarten, and at least 5 years old by 30 June in the year they start Prep. So the year your child starts depends on their birthday and that 30 June cut-off, not on the calendar year they turn four or five.
The Queensland Government says your child must be at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year they are enrolled in kindergarten. Kindergarten is the year before Prep. Kindergarten programs are not compulsory, but many families choose them to help children get ready for school.
For Prep, children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they enrol. Prep is the first year of formal schooling in Queensland. Compulsory school age starts at 6 years and 6 months, which means Prep is not compulsory, although most children attend.
The 30 June cut-off means children born in the same calendar year can start in different years. Here is how it works for 2027 kindergarten:
| Child’s birth date | Turns 4 by 30 June 2027? | Kindergarten | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 March 2023 | Yes | 2027 | 2028 |
| 30 June 2023 | Yes | 2027 | 2028 |
| 1 July 2023 | No | 2028 | 2029 |
| 1 July 2022 | Yes (already 4) | 2027 | 2028 |
In short, children born between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 are eligible for kindergarten in 2027 and Prep in 2028. Each year, the window moves forward by twelve months.
The Queensland Government has a kindy age calculator on its website. You enter your child’s birth month and year, and it shows when they can start kindy, Prep and Year 1. Use it to double-check the dates for your child.
The Queensland Government refers to options for an early or a delayed start to Prep. If you are considering either, the Department of Education explains the process, and it’s worth talking to your child’s early childhood teacher and the school you’re enrolling in.
Children can often be placed on a waiting list before they are old enough to attend. The Queensland Government says some services need enrolment at least six months before the kindergarten year starts, though this varies by service. Many services take enrolments all year, so contact the provider you’re interested in to find out their approach.
You may need to provide proof of your child’s date of birth, such as a birth certificate.
Once you know which year your child starts, you can plan ahead. Our kindergarten checklist covers what to organise before the first day. If you’d like to talk about your child’s start date, you can find a Wings centre near you.
Children must be at least 4 by 30 June in the year they start kindergarten.
Children must be at least 5 by 30 June in the year they start Prep.
No. Kindergarten programs are not compulsory. Compulsory school age begins at 6 years and 6 months.
Compulsory schooling starts at 6 years and 6 months, so Prep itself isn’t compulsory, though most children attend.
In Queensland, the year before Prep is usually called kindergarten, or kindy. Other states and territories use different names, so you may see “preschool” or “pre-kindy” in search results from elsewhere.
The Queensland Government refers to options around an early or a delayed start to Prep. Ask your early childhood service and the school about the process.
