education - sa
home > info directory > education > sa
bub hub supporters
|
The Department of Education and Children�s Services is responsible to the Minister for Education and Children�s Services
for primary and secondary education and for the planning and delivery of non-compulsory early childhood and school
age services. This includes preschool, child care,
family day care, toy libraries, play centres, and outside school hours care. The department is also responsible for the
licensing of child care centres and babysitting agencies.
Children's education in South Australia is currently organised as follows:
- Kindergarten / Preschool usually from age 4 for 12 months prior to Primary School
- Primary schoolusually from age 5, Reception Year then Years 1-7
- Secondary/High schoolages 12-16 Years 8-11
ages 16-17 Year 12
The school year runs from late January to December and is divided into 4 terms of approximately 10 weeks each.
School is compulsory, by law, between the ages of 6 and 16, ie from Years 1-11 (inclusive).
Preschool, and the final year of High School (Year 12) is optional.
Government schools and preschools do not charge tuition fees but some materials and services charges apply. Parents
should discuss these charges with the school principal or preschool director. Non-state schools and preschools are
generally fee paying.
Further information on the schooling system in South Australia and state schools, from preschool onwards, is available
on the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS) website -
select �Children�s Services for information about preschool and child care services and �schooling� for information about
state schooling system. The information contained below on this Bub Hub webpage is just a brief summary of education
services available, the DECS website has much more detailed information, including details of services for:
- rural or isolated communities
- Aboriginal communities
- non-English speaking families
- children with disabilities and other special needs
- financial assistance for low-income families
Further information is also available in the DECS's Your Guide to Children's Services booklet. This is available
online (click on the Your Guide Booklet option in the
left-hand navigation menu) or by calling the DECS on (08) 8226 0044.
Information about independent, private schools is available from the organisations detailed in the more info section at the
bottom of the page.
kindergarten
Kindergartens, also known as Preschools, Child Parent Centres or Children's Services Centres are non compulsory.
State preschools use the South Australian Curriculum, Standards and Accountability Framework to plan for children's
learning and development. They frequently have close links with schools and together they support children's transition
between services.. Children usually attend from the age of 4 for 12 months (4 terms) prior to starting primary school.
Attendance is generally on a 4-sessions a-week basis with each session being 2½-3 hours duration.
Children usually start kindergarten at the beginning of the next term after their 4th birthday. Children often visit the
kindy on a 'pre-entry' basis for 2 hours per week during the term that they turn 4. To enrol you child for your chosen
kindergarten, contact the school directly to discuss the enrolment procedure.
A complete list of state kindergarten facilities is available on the DECS's website. Just click
on the 'Search for Locations' option on the left-hand navigation menu. This facility allows you to search by geographical region. Further information is provided about
each school together with contact information and a link to the school's website (if available).
Independent kindergartens are usually attached to a main independent school. Information for private schools can be
obtained from the organisations detailed in the
more info section at the bottom of the page.
It is recommended that you contact the individual facilities directly to
request details of the enrolment policy. Some will take names for the waiting list from birth. Some require a fee to be paid before your child is added to their waiting list.
primary school
Primary schools provide the first seven years of compulsory education. A full
list of state primary schools is available via the 'Search for Locations' facility on the
Families & Communities section of the DECS's website.
This facility allows you to search by geographical region. Further information is provided about each school together with contact information and a link to the school's website (if available).
Children usually start primary school at the beginning of the next term after their 5th birthday, although attendance is not
compulsory until 6 years of age. A 'transitition programme' to assist your child in moving from preschool to primary school will
be arranged between your child's preschool and primary school.
To enrol your child at your local state school, contact the school directly for details of the enrolment procedure.
Further information is available in the DECS's Your Guide to Children's Services booklet. This is available
online (click on link to the left and then select Your Guide Booklet option in the
left-hand navigation menu) or by calling the Department on (08) 8226 0044.
For independent schools, see the organisations detailed in the
more info section at the bottom of the page
secondary/high school
Secondary schools provide a further four years of compulsory education
(Years 8-11) and one year of post-compulsory education (Year 12). A full list of state secondary
schools is available via the the 'Search for Locations' facility on the
Families & Communities section of the DECS's
website.
For independent schools, see the organisations detailed in the
more info section at the bottom of the page.
special schools and/or special needs
If your child has special needs, the 'Search for Locations' facility on the Families & Communities section of the DECS's
website has details of specialist and support services
in each region - or call (08) 8226 0044 for more advice.
back to top
more information
Department of Education and Children's Services
- 'Families & Communities' website
- 'Parents & Community' section of the Schooling website
- ph: (08) 8226 0044 (general)
- ph: (08) 8226 1650 (recorded term & vacation date information)
Association of Independent Schools of South Australia
- website
- ph: (08) 8179 1400
Catholic Education South Australia
- website
- ph: (08) 8301 6600
