This policy is current as at 28/02/2021 03:43am, AEDT. Please refer to policy library website (https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library) for an updated version.
This policy applies to all NSW Government preschool classes. It outlines the general principles governing the fee processes, as well as information on collecting fees, fee relief and/or exemption.
Parents and carers are required to pay full fees for their child’s attendance at the preschool class, unless they are eligible for fee relief or fee exemption.
Department preschools are required to prioritise the neediest children in the local community, who are unable to access other early childhood centres.
Fees will vary across government schools with preschool classes. They will be set with reference to each school’s relative Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) value.
Schools with lower ICSEA value will attract lower fees. This recognises the cumulative effect of high concentrations of low socioeconomic disadvantage.
The department reviews attendance fees for government school preschool classes annually.
Fees will be rounded down to the nearest dollar.
There is provision for fee relief and full fee exemption (see section 1.3).
The fees will be broadly in line with community sectors that have similar cohorts of children.
Parents will pay a pro rata fee where their children attend a half-day session. The fee for each half day will be half that of the full day fee.
Fees are payable for the days the school is open, excluding pupil free days.
Schools with preschool classes will generate an invoice through the school finance system for the billing period. Schools will determine this period locally to best meet the needs of families (for example, weekly or each term).
There are no other compulsory fees for preschool attendance.
Eligibility for fee relief or full-fee exemption is determined as follows:
Eligibility | School ICSEA value | Fee relief/exemption |
Children from low-income families* | 900 or more | 50% of full fee |
Children from low-income families* | 700 to 899 | 10% of full fee |
Aboriginal children | N/A | 50% of full fee |
All children | Up to 699 | Fee exempt |
*As determined by a current Commonwealth Health Care Card.
In exceptional circumstances, the principal can exercise discretion and grant a full-fee exemption where the child would not otherwise be able to attend.
The principal is required to follow up fees that have been outstanding for one month and to develop a plan for fee recovery. This could include reduced fees or, in exceptional circumstances, fee exemption if the child would otherwise not be able to attend the preschool program.
Recovery actions to be used by schools are detailed in Section 13 Finance in Schools Handbook (FISH).
This policy applies to all NSW Government school preschool classes.
The NSW Department of Education operates preschool classes in 100 schools. These classes were established to provide a preschool education for children one year before school entry in areas of disadvantage, with a particular focus on children:
Parents:
Principals:
Directors, educational leadership, in schools for which they are responsible:
The Early Learning and Primary Education unit is responsible for monitoring the implementation of this policy and reviewing its effectiveness, at least every three years.
Early Learning Coordinator
02 7814 3775
earlylearning@det.nsw.edu.au
This information is current as at 28/02/2021 03:43am, AEDT. For the most up-to-date information, go to https://policies.education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/preschool-class-fees-in-government-schools.
© State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2019. For more information go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/copyright.
This information is current as at 28/02/2021 03:30am, AEDT. For the most up-to-date information, go to https://policies.education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/student-welfare-policy.
© State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2019. For more information go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/copyright.