Key information
- The Early Childhood Inclusion Service (ECIS) is for children aged 0 to 4 years who need extra support to maximise their learning.
- Children who have turned four years of age by 1 January are eligible for enrolment at their local Kindergarten. ECIS provides support for enrolled children to transition to Kindergarten.
- If families choose not to seek a Kindergarten enrolment when their child becomes eligible, ECIS is not able to provide support for an additional year.
Children can attend Kindergarten from 4 years of age. The preferred option for all students is to participate in Kindergarten. This is so they can get the most benefit from the available years of schooling. Kindergarten is an important foundation year for learning.
Every child, from the year after they turn 5 years of age, must be enrolled at and attending school, or an approved home education program.
Alternatives to Kindergarten at age four
Skipping Kindergarten
A parent may choose not to enrol their child in Kindergarten at the age of four. This is not the preferred option as the child may miss out on the benefits of accessing a Kindergarten education program. For children enrolled in ECIS, this also means they will miss out on support to transition to school, because ECIS is not able to provide service when a child is eligible for Kindergarten.
If a child does not attend Kindergarten, then enrolment in prep by the time they have turned 5 years of age is required. Where a family chooses not to access a Kindergarten year, the first year of formal schooling will be when the child is enrolled in prep.
Later enrolment in Kindergarten
Families seeking to enrol their child in Kindergarten (rather than in prep) at the age of 5 must submit an application for this using the Application for exemption from Attending School (PDF, 501KB).
ECIS support in exemption situations
It is important to note that the services available through ECIS are for children aged birth (or diagnosis) until transition to Kindergarten for eligible families. It does not extend for a further year if families choose not to seek a Kindergarten enrolment.
More information about ECIS