Post updated September 2026.
If you're thinking about two years of kindergarten for your child, you probably have some practical questions. What actually happens in that second year? How does enrolment work? And does it look different depending on where you live? Here's a simple, practical guide.
What happens in the second year
A second year of kindergarten gives your child more time to build confidence, make friends, and get comfortable with routines like group activities and sitting through a longer day. Research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies has found that children with two years of preschool tend to arrive at school with stronger communication, general knowledge and language skills than children with little or no preschool experience.
In practice, this often looks like:
- More time to settle into friendships with the same group of children
- More confidence with everyday routines - packing away, following a group activity, using the bathroom independently
- A gentler, more gradual lead-up to the structure of formal school
For many families, the biggest difference isn't academic at all, it's how settled and confident their child feels walking into their first day of “big school.” Familiar faces, familiar routines, and a bit more time to grow all help with that.
Common questions from families
- “Will my child be bored doing a second year?” No - a good program builds on what your child already knows rather than repeating it, with more group projects, more independence, and new challenges as they're ready for them.
- “What if my child gets upset about being away from me?” This is completely normal, especially early on. Our educators are experienced in supporting separation gently, and it usually gets easier within the first few weeks.
- “How much will it cost?” This depends on your circumstances, including whether the Child Care Subsidy applies to your family. Your best option is to ask your local centre directly - they can walk you through what it looks like for you.
- “What if we're new to the area or the system?” That's completely fine. Our educators are used to helping families who are new to how kindergarten and preschool work in Australia, and can explain everything in plain language.
How enrolment works in your state
This is where things get a little different depending on where you live. Every Australian state and territory has its own name and starting age for kindergarten or preschool, for example, “kindy” means something different in Queensland than it does in NSW. Most states fund at least 15 hours a week of preschool in the year before school, and a number are progressively adding a second, funded year for three-year-olds under the national Preschool Reform Agreement.
For the exact rules where you live, Raising Children Network's state-by-state guide is a good place to start, or just ask your local centre, and we can point you in the right direction.
A simple way to approach enrolment is to work through it step by step:
- Check your state's cut-off date - this determines which year your child is eligible to start
- Ask about funded hours - most states fund at least 15 hours a week in the year before school, with some now extending this to a second year for three-year-olds
- Check what support may apply - the Child Care Subsidy may apply depending on your family's circumstances - ask your centre to talk you through it
- Book a tour or chat with a centre - this is the easiest way to get answers specific to your child and your family
Getting ready for two years at Aussie Kindies
At Aussie Kindies, our preschool and kindergarten program is part of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum and is designed for children aged three to five. It combines a funded preschool or kindergarten program with the flexibility of long day care, so you don't need to manage separate drop-offs at a standalone preschool.
You can also read how our educators help children get school ready for a closer look at day-to-day life in our program.
Ready to find out more? Get in touch with your local Aussie Kindies centre - our educators can walk you through enrolment and what a second year could look like for your child.