Early childhood school (birth to year 2)

Early childhood schools offer a unique model of education and care, from birth to year 2.

In one location, a child can progress from early childhood education and care through to year 2, including preschool.

You may be able to get some free preschool hours. Find out about free three-year-old preschool and 4-year-old preschool.

At the end of year 2, you need to apply to enrol in a public school in your Priority Enrolment Area, for your child's schooling from year 3 onwards.

Check if you can apply

Early childhood schools do not have a Priority Enrolment Area. Enrolments are open to all ACT families.

You can apply if:

• your child is aged from birth to 8 years (year 2)
• you can prove you live in the ACT.

Find an early childhood school

Early childhood schools are located across Canberra.

How to apply

Birth to age 3

If your child is aged from birth to age 3 years, visit the school's website for how to apply for early childhood education and care.

You can apply to enrol at any time of the year.

3-year-old preschool, 4-year-old preschool or school

To apply for preschool or school, use the form on enrol in a public school.

Important dates for a child starting preschool or school in 2026 are:

• 29 April 2025 – applications open.
• 6 June 2025 – apply by this date to get an offer from as early as 28 July 2025.
• 7 June 2025 – applications from this date onwards can expect an offer later in the year.

You can apply to enrol in the current school year at any time. We process applications as we receive them.

When you apply to an early childhood school for preschool or school, we assess your application based on these points, in this order of priority:

1. Individual circumstances, based on student wellbeing.
2. Child lives in the ACT and has a sibling attending the school.
3. Child lives in the ACT and attends the early childhood education and care program (birth to age 4) at the school. This does not apply to the O'Connor Cooperative School.
4. Child lives in the same suburb as the school.
5. Child lives elsewhere in the ACT up to the limits of available places.

Contact us

Contact the school directly if you have questions about the school. Contact us if you have questions about enrolling.