Orange Grove Public School Preschool - why families love our public preschool.

At Orange Grove Public School Preschool, children explore, ask questions and grow in a safe, caring and stimulating environment. Our educators nurture each child’s development through quality, play-based learning that builds confidence, curiosity and a love of learning, setting them up for a confident and happy transition into big school in Kindergarten at Orange Grove Public School.

Our public preschool is fee-free and part of Orange Grove Public School, making it an accessible and high-quality option for local families. Unlike our K–6 enrolment, preschool places are capped at 20 children per day.

We hold an information evening in Term 1 each year to explain the expression of interest process to families.

Where play, learning and belonging come together.

Through daily routines, children develop independence and learn to care for their personal items and shared spaces.

Children explore little spaces with big ideas.

Children build creativity, communication, confidence and resilience through play.

Children learn through movement, exploration and adventure.

Children are engaged through a variety of hands-on experiences in our indoor and outdoor spaces.

From planting seeds to caring for our environment, children learn the value of sustainability.

Through imaginative play, children explore roles, relationships and language.

Applying for a Place in Our Public Preschool

We are proud to offer a nurturing, play-based preschool that provides children with a high-quality start to school life. Our preschool is part of Orange Grove Public School and is a popular choice for local families, with places capped at 20 children per day and a maximum of 40 enrolment places available each year.

Families seeking enrolment must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which opens during Term 2 each year. Enrolment offers are made in accordance with the Department of Education’s priority criteria. As demand regularly exceeds the number of available places, once these criteria have been applied, the date and time each EOI was submitted is also considered when determining offers.

The Expression of Interest Process for Orange Grove Public School Preschool:

Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Orange Grove Public School Preschool open in Term 2 the year prior to the preschool start date. The process is explained at our Preschool Information Evening held in March and key dates for the expression of interest will be published in our newsletter in Week 6 of Term 1.

Step 1: Submit an EOI

Families submit an NSW Department of Education Expression of Interest to enrol in a NSW Public Preschool via email or in person at the school office.

orangegrov-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Step 2: Book a documentation appointment

After submitting an EOI, families must contact the school office to arrange an appointment to present the required documentation so the EOI is complete and ready to proceed to the placement panel. At the interview families will indicate Program A, Program B or no preference.

Important:
• Families must contact the school to make the appointment
• The school will not contact families to arrange this
• EOIs cannot proceed to the placement panel without ALL of the required documentation

Step 3: Attend the in-person appointment

All documentation must be presented to the school by the date listed in the newsletter in Week 6 of Term 1.

Priority of Enrolment

In line with the NSW Department of Education’s Preschool Enrolment Policy, priority is given to children in the local community who may be disadvantaged or have limited access to other early childhood education. Priority categories include:

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children
• Children living in low socio-economic circumstances
• Children unable to access other early childhood services due to disadvantage or financial hardship

Remaining places are then offered according to the priority criteria and availability.

Attendance Pattern

To ensure every child receives 600 hours of preschool education each year (15 hours per week), we offer two attendance groups:

Group A

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Semester 1 (Terms 1 and 2)
• Monday and Tuesday in Semester 2 (Terms 3 and 4)

Group B

• Thursday and Friday in Semester 1 (Terms 1 and 2)
• Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Semester 2 (Terms 3 and 4)

Vaccination Requirements

Children must be fully vaccinated for their age, on a recognised catch-up schedule or have a valid medical exemption. Children turning four must provide updated vaccination evidence after their birthday to continue attending.

Waiting List

If your child is not offered a place they will be placed on a waitlist.  The waitlist is actioned should a place become available at any time throughout the year.

Have any further questions about the preschool enrolment process?

Contact us