Starting school: NSW public schools with Kindergarten
Kindergarten is the first year of school in NSW, and the entry year for nearly every public primary, infants and central school. Because almost all primary schools begin at Kindergarten, this list is close to the full set of NSW public primary schools; what makes it useful is knowing which one you are entitled to and when your child can start.
When a child can start
A child can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before 31 July of that year. Starting is not compulsory until the year a child turns six, so families of children born between February and July can choose to start straight away or wait a year. Enrolment applications are made directly to the school, usually from the middle of the year before.
Which school
Every address in NSW falls inside the catchment of a local public school, and that school must offer a place to children who live there. Applying to a school outside your catchment is possible but not guaranteed. Some children begin at an infants school (Kindergarten to Year 2) and move to a primary school for Year 3, while a central school runs from Kindergarten through to Year 12.
The first weeks
Most schools run orientation sessions in Term 4 of the year before. In the first weeks of Kindergarten, teachers run the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment, a one-to-one check of early literacy and numeracy used to plan teaching, not to rank or grade children. Learning in Early Stage 1 is largely play-based and builds toward reading, writing and number.
Related pages
- Pre-school: public schools with a Department pre-school for the year before Kindergarten.
- Year 1: what follows Kindergarten.
- Glossary: catchment, infants school and central school.
- Out-of-area access requests: applying to a school outside your catchment.
- The Department's enrolment page sets out the official process.
1,662 schools found.
Results ordered by proximity to Bonnyrigg Heights Public School.
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Bonnyrigg Heights Public School
Wilson Rd, Bonnyrigg Heights NSW 2177
Bonnyrigg Heights Public School, located in south west Sydney, is celebrated for its excellence in teaching and a multicultural environment, prioritising student welfare and academic achievement.
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Edensor Park Public School
Swan & Gwandalan Rds, Edensor Park NSW 2176
Edensor Park Public School is committed to the development of the whole child, offering a supportive community, high-quality educational programs, and a focus on student well-being and academic success.
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Green Valley Public School
173-183 Green Valley Rd, Green Valley NSW 2168
Green Valley Public School is a diverse and inclusive community-focused school committed to inspiring students to excel academically and socially, offering a range of educational and extracurricular programs.
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Cecil Hills Public School
Leopold Place, Cecil Hills NSW 2171
Cecil Hills Public School, established in 2003, provides quality education in a modern learning environment, promoting inclusivity, community involvement, and continuous improvement.
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Busby West Public School
50 Starling St, Green Valley NSW 2168
Busby West Public School in Green Valley provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students, promoting excellence in their academic, emotional, and social development. The school values diversity and encourages active family involvement in education.
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Bonnyrigg Public School
Bonnyrigg Public School 58-62 Tarlington Parade, Bonnyrigg NSW 2177
Bonnyrigg Public School is a nurturing learning environment that emphasises academic excellence and community support for students from preschool to Year 6, promoting holistic development and inclusivity.
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Governor Philip King Public School
61 Allambie Road, Edensor Park NSW 2176
Governor Philip King Public School is a culturally diverse school in Edensor Park, providing a high-quality and inclusive education for students from Kindergarten to Year 6, emphasising personal excellence and community involvement.
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Hinchinbrook Public School
Hinchinbrook Dr & Keppel Ct, Hinchinbrook NSW 2168
Hinchinbrook Public School provides a supportive and quality education for students from Kindergarten to Year 6, emphasising partnerships with families and a comprehensive curriculum.
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Busby Public School
South Liverpool Rd, Busby NSW 2168
Busby Public School is an inclusive and innovative educational institution dedicated to high-quality learning, serving a diverse student population with a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy.
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St Johns Park Public School
Sandringham St, St Johns Park NSW 2176
St Johns Park Public School, established in 1891, fosters a diverse and inclusive environment focused on high educational standards, community involvement, and the development of student leadership and wellbeing.