Help your child feel ready for big school
Starting school is a big step for the whole family. Our school readiness program helps your child build the confidence, friendships, and skills to start school ready, through play, every day.
- 110+ centres across Australia
- Play-based learning
- Qualified Early Childhood Teachers
What does school readiness look like?
School readiness means that your child has all the tools they need to confidently transition into a new learning environment. This may look like making new friends, following daily routines, communicating ideas, and taking care of their personal belongings. Alongside this comes building the foundations of early reading and counting.
Making friends
Your child learns to take turns, share, and play with others, so the playground feels familiar on day one.
Sharing their ideas
Group time helps your child speak up, ask questions, and listen to others.
Following routines
Packing away, lining up, and moving between activities become easy habits.
Doing things for themselves
Opening a lunchbox, putting on shoes, and asking for help when they need it.
Loving to learn
Early literacy, numbers and problem-solving, all through play.
How did your child go?
See how we build these skills every day. Visit a centre near you and meet our educators.
How Bee Curious gets your child ready
Bee Curious is our own early learning curriculum. Here at Busy Bees, we nurture your child’s natural curiosity, build their confidence and inspire a love of learning, so they’re ready for school and ready for life.
In the year or two before school, Our kindy and preschool programs run directly inside our long day care hours, preparing your child for school in the year or two before they start big school.
- Qualified teachers Early Childhood Teachers plan and lead the program.
- Play-based learning Children learn through play, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
- One drop-off The program and long day care under one roof, so there's no midday pick-up.
Kindy, kinder, or preschool?
Every state has its own name and funding for the year before school. Choose your state to see how our program works where you live.
Queensland
- Before school: Kindy
- First year: Prep
In Queensland, it's called kindy. Free Kindy covers an approved kindergarten program for up to 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year, and many of our centres run one inside long day care. Children usually start kindy in the year they turn 4 by 30 June.
Queensland Government: Free KindyVictoria
- Before school: Kinder
- First year: Prep
In Victoria, it's called kinder. Free Kinder covers both three- and four-year-old kinder, and runs inside long day care at many of our centres.
Victorian Government: Free KinderNew South Wales
- Before school: Preschool
- First year: Kindergarten
In New South Wales, it's called preschool. Our preschool program runs inside long day care, and Start Strong fee relief may reduce your fees for children aged 3 and over.
NSW Government: Start StrongSouth Australia
- Before school: Preschool
- First year: Reception
In South Australia, it's called preschool. From 2026, Flying Start 3-year-old preschool is rolling out in more than 200 long day care services.
SA Government: Flying StartWestern Australia
- Before school: Kindy
- First year: Pre-primary
In Western Australia, kindy runs at primary schools for part of the week. Our long day care and school readiness program work alongside it, with full-day care on the other days.
WA Department of Education: KindergartenAustralian Capital Territory
- Before school: Preschool
- First year: Kindergarten
In the ACT, free 4-year-old preschool runs at public schools for up to 15 hours a week. Our long day care works alongside it for the rest of the week.
ACT Government: 4-year-old preschoolWhat families say
“Really great service, we’ve been at 3 daycares over the years. And this is by far the best. Their kinder program actually teaches the children and prepares them for primary school. Numeracy and literacy. Other daycares have told me “those things are not what being “school ready” is about. But Busy Bees gets it.”
Corry, Busy Bees at Cranbourne
“Quality set of educators and programs that helps my son be ready for school.”
Dashan, Busy Bees at Armstrong Creek
“I really like the school readiness program. The educators are dedicated and provide excellent support to the children, helping them build confidence and prepare for school in a caring and encouraging environment.”
Dhanushka, Busy Bees at Scarborough
“We have been at Busy Bees from Nursery to Kindy and I can honestly say all the staff feel like an extension of our family. Our boy was excited to go to kindy each day as he loved his teachers as well as his friends. We have felt supported all through his journey to big school and will sorely miss everyone here. Was a great community to be a part of.”
Shani, Busy Bees at Coorparoo
“Best staff and service !! my daughter is going to kindy program which is absolutely lovely !! they prepare your child for school readiness!! Staff is very friendly and welcoming.”
Ankita, Busy Bees at Banksia Grove
Come and see school readiness in action.
Visit a centre near you, meet our educators and see where your child will learn and play.
Answering your questions about school readiness
How do I know if my child is ready for school?
There are many signs to look for to know whether your child is ready for school. Such signs include, but are not limited to; playing well with others, following simple instructions, taking care of their belongings, and voicing their needs.
Does my child need to read before starting school?
No. Schools teach reading from the first year. It helps more if your child enjoys stories, recognises their name and can hold a pencil.
When can my child start school?
School starting age depends on your state and your child's birthday. Your state education department sets the cut-off date, and your Centre Director can help you work it out.
What's the difference between kindy or preschool and long day care?
Kindy or preschool is a structured, teacher-led learning program for the year or two before school. At many Busy Bees centres it runs inside long day care, so your child gets both in one day.
Can I use the Child Care Subsidy at Busy Bees?
Yes. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) applies to approved long day care, including our kindy and preschool program. Since 5 January 2026, the 3 Day Guarantee gives eligible families at least 72 hours of subsidised care a fortnight, with no activity test. Use our CCS calculator to estimate your fees.
What happens on a tour?
On a tour of one of our centres, you'll first meet the Centre Director, who will guide you around the different learning environments. Throughout the tour, you will meet our educators, explore our facilites, and see our programs in action. We'll take the time to learn about your child and your family while you'll have the chance to ask any questions you may have.
