EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
These Early Entry and Accelerated Entry procedures are provided to support enrolments into ACT
public school preschool units as specified in the Education Participation (Enrolment and Attendance)
policy and the Enrolment in Act Public Schools (Early Childhood Schools – Year 12) Procedure.
Early Entry or Accelerated Entry is offered to eligible families to meet the needs of their children in
the early years of their education. There are three avenues for early entry.
1. Early Entry for identified groups
 English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)
 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
 Hearing and Vision Impaired
Early Entry for identified groups provides access to preschool education in public school preschool
units for EALD children, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and for children impacted
by hearing and vision impairments. Successful applicants are able to enter preschool in the year
prior to the child accessing their preschool year. Early entry under these criteria will only be offered
where there are places that are not filled by four year old children accessing their preschool year.
2. Early Entry - Mobility
Early Entry – Mobility provides early access to preschool education in public school preschool units
for eligible children. This means that eligible children will access their preschool year in the year
prior to when that would normally happen according to their birthday.
3. Accelerated Entry - Gifted and Talented
Accelerated Entry – Gifted and Talented provide early access to preschool education in public
school preschool units for eligible children. This means that eligible children will access their
preschool year in the year prior to when that would normally happen according to their birthday.
Further information and requirements for each of the processes are detailed below under the
following sections.
 Early Entry – English as an Additional Language Or Dialect (EALD)
 Early Entry – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
 Early Entry – Hearing and Vision Impaired
 Early Entry – Mobility
 Accelerated Entry – Gifted and Talented
EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY – ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE OR DIALECT (EALD)
Early Entry EALD placements are for children in the year prior to attending preschool. Placements
are for children who are non-English speakers, who live in non-English speaking homes and who
have no opportunity to socialise with English speaking children of their own age. Early Entry
placements are for children who will be four years on or before 30 April in the following year.
Placements are offered from the beginning of Term 3 if preschool unit places are available. A
maximum of two Early Entry EALD placements can be provided per preschool group.
Early Entry EALD placements will be made in consultation with the principal, preschool staff and
early childhood executive teacher.
Schools must ensure they retain capacity in their preschool programs to place any in-area, priority
age children who may move to the priority enrolment area.
Placements will be a maximum of six hours per week with a daily maximum session time of three
hours and must be accompanied at all times by a parent or adult carer who speaks the home
language of the child. Once the child has settled into the program parent/carer attendance can be
negotiated with the school.
Families applying for an Early Entry EALD placement must also apply for preschool the following
year, as a separate process. Early Entry placement is not a guarantee of a preschool placement the
following year at a preschool unit that is not in the family’s priority enrolment area.
The Early Entry EALD form is at ATTACHMENT A.
Timeline
Term 2
Term 3
Families complete the application form, available at the end of this
procedures document (ATTACHMENT A), and forward it to the primary school
of their choice for processing
Please note: each school has priority enrolment areas
Proof of age and proof of residency must be sighted by the school before the
enrolment is accepted
Schools will contact families with a decision about their application
Families may choose to take their application to a second preference school
for consideration if their first placement is unsuccessful
Children begin their Early Entry EALD placement for six hours per week,
supported by a family member or carer who speaks the home language
Applications for Early Entry EALD may not be processed after Week 7, Term 3
ACT PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY – ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER
Early Entry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is available for children in the semester
prior to their preschool year. Placements are offered from the beginning of Term 3 if preschool unit
places are available. Children are entitled to attend the full preschool program and this enables
children to access 18 months of preschool education.
Early Entry placements in this category are for children who will be four years on or before 30 April
in the following year.
Application forms can be lodged with the school from the beginning of the school year. Should a
place not be available in the local preschool unit families are able to approach other schools to seek
placement.
Families applying for an Early Entry Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander must also apply for
preschool the following year, as a separate process. Early Entry placement is not a guarantee of
placement the following year at a preschool unit that is not in the family’s priority enrolment area.
The Early Entry Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander application form is at ATTACHMENT B.
Timeline
From Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Families complete the application form, available at the end of this
procedures document (ATTACHMENT B), and forward it to the primary school
of their choice for processing
Please note: each school has priority enrolment areas
Proof of age and proof of residency must be sighted by the school before the
enrolment is accepted
Schools will contact families with a decision about their application
Families may choose to take their application to a second preference school
for consideration if their first placement is unsuccessful
Children begin their Early Entry Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
placement
ACT PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY – HEARING AND VISION IMPAIRED
Children with a diagnosed hearing and/or vision impairment (or are a child of a parent with a
diagnosed hearing and/or vision impairment) are able to access Early Entry to a preschool unit in
the year prior to their priority preschool year. Placements are offered from the beginning of Term 1
if preschool unit places are available. Children are entitled to attend a maximum of six hours of the
preschool program. This enables children to access two years of preschool education.
Early Entry placements in this category are for children who will be four years on or before 30 April
in the following year.
Families applying for an Early Entry Hearing and Vision Impaired placement must also apply for
preschool the following year, as a separate process. Early Entry placement is not a guarantee of a
preschool unit placement the following year at a preschool unit that is not in the family’s priority
enrolment area.
To commence an Early Entry Hearing and Vision Impaired application contact the Hearing Support
Program on 02 6205 6792 and the Vision Support Program on 02 6205 5957.
The Early Entry Vision and/or Hearing Impaired form is at ATTACHMENT C.
Timeline
In the year prior
Term 1
Families discuss requirements with the Hearing and Vision Support Programs
as required and apply to the school with the support of the Hearing and/or
Vision Support Programs
Please note: each school has priority enrolment areas
Proof of age and proof of residency must be sighted by the school before the
enrolment is accepted
Schools will contact families with a decision about their application
Families may choose to take their application to a second preference school
for consideration if their first placement is unsuccessful
Children begin their placement
ACT PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY – MOBILITY
Early Entry Mobility is for children who fall outside of the age cut off and have parents in mobile
work positions especially Australian Defence Force personnel. Families may apply for their children
to access preschool or kindergarten in the ACT to ensure their child is not disadvantaged due to the
mobile nature of their parents work.
Families are required to write to the Director, Learning and Teaching outlining their request for
Early Entry. This letter should clearly state the child’s date of birth, year applying for Early Entry and
the nature of the parent’s employment. To be eligible to be considered under this process the child
must turn four or five years of age before 31 July to commence preschool or kindergarten
respectively at the start of the school year. Children younger than this will not be eligible for Early
Entry Mobility consideration.
Applications must include written evidence from their employer that clearly states the tenure of
their position in the ACT and that, as part of their work, they will be relocating outside of the ACT in
the future to a jurisdiction that has a different starting age. To be eligible to be considered under
this process the tenure of employment in the ACT must be three years or less.
Families may include relevant documentation from previous schooling to support their application
including evidence around the child’s social development and ability to manage in a group setting.
The final decision will be made by the Director, Learning and Teaching.
Families should consider their child’s age when applying for Early Entry and their ability to manage
socially and emotionally in the year cohort for which they are applying. It should be noted that
Early Entry positions place the child with their age cohort not the year group from a previous
educational system.
For families who have accessed a system of education with an earlier start date than the ACT and
have moved to the ACT permanently, it is likely that children will enter into the same age cohort as
their peers in the ACT. These families can request consideration for Early Entry under the same
requirements as above excluding the employer evidence. Any applications made under these
circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis.
Please note: each school has priority enrolment areas.
Families are required to provide the following information in writing to:
Director, Learning and Teaching
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: DET.Consultation@act.gov.au
 Request in writing for Early Entry
 Proof of age of the child
 Proof of residency
 Evidence from the parent’s employer stating the length of time of the posting to the ACT
 Evidence stating previous education experiences of the child (if applicable)
 Families from overseas must provide documentation detailing the starting age for
compulsory education in the public education system of their home country
ACT PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
APPEALS PROCESS
Should a family disagree with the decision they can request a decision review by the Early Entry
Appeals Panel.
The Early Entry Appeals Panel is comprised of the Executive Director, Learning, Teaching and School
Engagement, a senior counsellor and an Early Childhood School Principal. The Panel will consider
the original application and any additional information that families may choose to provide.
ACT PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
ACCELERATED ENTRY – GIFTED AND TALENTED
Gifted and talented children may be eligible for Accelerated Entry to preschool or kindergarten.
This means that children identified as gifted and talented are able to commence their education a
year earlier than their age cohort.
Families should consider their child’s age when applying for Accelerated Entry and their ability to
manage socially and emotionally in the year cohort for which they are applying.
To request consideration for Accelerated Entry families are required to write to the Director,
Learning and Teaching outlining their request. A psychological assessment conducted by a
registered psychologist will be required before a decision can be made. Access to Accelerated Entry
is determined by a child being identified as gifted through a universally accepted diagnostic tool
(psychological assessment), and who achieves a “Very Superior” rating across all assessments in
cognitive functioning.
Should a child meet the criteria above then additional information will be used to support the
application and to ascertain emotional and social readiness. This may include subjective and
objective indicators, teacher/parent nomination/checklists, interview transcripts, anecdotal
evidence and student work.
From this evidence the Director decides if Accelerated Entry into either preschool or kindergarten is
an option to be considered.
Timeline
Term 2, 3 or 4 prior
to the anticipated
year of Accelerated
Entry
Term 2, 3 or 4
Term 3 or 4
Families complete the school enrolment form and provide it to the primary
school of their choice for processing. Parents/Carers should discuss the
application with the school and inform them that an Accelerated Entry
Gifted and Talented application is pending
Please note: each school has priority enrolment areas
Proof of age and proof of residency must be sighted by the school before
the prospective enrolment is accepted
If the family lives in the priority enrolment area for the school, the school
holds a preschool unit or kindergarten place for the prospective enrolment.
PLEASE NOTE: There is no guarantee of enrolment if the family is requesting
enrolment in a school where they do not live in the school’s priority
enrolment area - families should check with the school if the enrolment will
be considered
Completion of the psychological assessment and the request in writing is
provided to the Directorate
Application considered and advice in writing is provided from the
Directorate to families. Successful families to provide a copy of the letter to
the school
Preschool unit or kindergarten place will be offered by the school to
successful applicants
ACT PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY PROCEDURES
EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY
PROCEDURES
Families are required to provide the following information in writing to:
Director, Learning and Teaching
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: DET.Consultation@act.gov.au
 Request in writing for Accelerated Entry
 Proof of age of the child
 Educational and psychological assessment
 Evidence from any relevant educators and/or other evidence
APPEALS PROCESS
Should a family disagree with the decision they can request a decision review by the Early Entry
Appeals Panel.
The Early Entry Appeals Panel is comprised of the Executive Director, Learning, Teaching and School
Engagement, a Senior Counsellor and an Early Childhood School Principal. The Panel will consider
the original application and any additional information that families may choose to provide.
ACT PUBLIC SCHOOL EARLY ENTRY AND ACCELERATED ENTRY PROCEDURES
ATTACHMENT A
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EARLY ENTRY – ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL
LANGUAGE OR DIALECT (EALD)
TO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL UNITS
Early Entry - EALD placements are for eligible children in the year prior to attending
preschool, who are non-English speakers, who live in non-English speaking homes and who
have no opportunity to socialise with English speaking children of their own age.
Early Entry - EALD placements are for children who will be 4 years on or before 30 April in
the following year.
Early Entry - EALD placements are offered from the beginning of Term 3 in the school year.
Early Entry - EALD placements can only be offered if preschool places are available.
Children are offered a maximum of 6 hours per week. Placements will be a maximum of six
hours per week with a daily maximum session time of three hours.
Children must be accompanied at all times by a parent or adult carer who speaks the home
language of the child.
Enrolment for preschool in the following year must also be completed at your local primary
school. Please contact your local primary school for enrolment information.
Applications for Early Entry – EALD may not be processed after Week 7, Term 3.
For more information, please contact the school in which you would like to apply.
Ensuring your privacy is protected
The ACT Education and Training Directorate (the Directorate) collects information on the following forms to enable it to effectively manage
enrolment in ACT public schools. The Directorate provides this information (on request) to other government agencies authorised to receive it.
The information you provide will be used or disclosed for the following purposes:
• General student administration relating to the education and welfare of the student
• Communication with students, parents or carers
• To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students, staff and visitors to the school
• ACT and national reporting purposes
• For any other purpose required by law.
Further information about privacy is available on the Directorate website at www.det.act.gov.au or by contacting Governance and Legal Liaison
on (02) 6205 8229.
EARLY ENTRY - EALD TO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL UNITS - ATTACHMENT A - Page 1 of 3
ATTACHMENT A
APPLICATION FORM
EARLY ENTRY - EALD TO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL UNITS
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
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Early Entry English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) placements are for eligible children in the year prior to
attending preschool, who are non-English speakers, who live in non-English speaking homes and who have no opportunity
to socialise with English speaking children of their own age.
Placements are offered from the beginning of Term 3 in the school year.
Placements can only be offered if preschool unit places are available.
Placements will be a maximum of six hours per week with a daily maximum session time of three hours.
Children must be accompanied at all times by a parent or adult carer who speaks the home language of the child.
(Parent/carer support can be negotiated with the school as required).
Child’s Family Name:
Child’s Given Name/s:
Date of Birth:
Male
/
/
Parent/Carer 1: __________________________
Female
(please circle)
Address:
Country of birth: __________________________
Arrival in Australia:
/
/
Phone:
Parent/Carer 2: __________________________
Address:
Country of birth: __________________________
Arrival in Australia:
/
/
Phone:
Language/s spoken at home: ________________________________________________________________
Other children in the family:
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Early Entry EAL/D placement request for 20____
First Preschool unit preference: __________________ Second Preschool unit preference: ____________________
Reason why placement is requested (Parents/Guardians to complete): ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Is transport available to a different preschool unit other than requested?
Yes
No
Does your child go to a child care centre or English speaking
family day care?
Yes
No
Does your child have an opportunity to socialise with English
speaking children of their own age?
Yes
No
I have attached a supporting statement from a doctor, teacher, social worker or health care professional.
I give permission for this information to be released to Directorate officers and for information to be obtained
from professionals where necessary.
I understand that my child can only attend if accompanied by a parent or adult carer who speaks the home
language of my child.
I understand that Early Entry EALD will only be offered in preschools where there is a place available.
I understand that Early Entry EALD applications may not be processed after Week 7, Term 3.
Signature Parent/Guardian: ________________________________
……/……/………
EARLY ENTRY - EALD TO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL UNITS - ATTACHMENT A - Page 2 of 3
This form is to be filled in by a Health Care Professional (eg Doctor), Teacher, Social Worker, Case Worker.
Please ensure that all sections are completed.
Name:
__________________________________
Position: __________________________________
Date: _______________________
Phone: _______________________
Organisation: _________________________________________________________________
Relationship to Child: ___________________________________________________________
Child’s Name: ______________________________ Date of Birth: ________________________
1. How long have you known this family?
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What languages are spoken in this child’s home? How fluent is the child in these languages?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the child’s position in the family? (e.g. eldest of 4)
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What opportunities does the child have to speak English?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How would Early Entry into preschool benefit this child?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Is there anything else that should be considered in relation to this application?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Signature: ______________________________
Date:
EARLY ENTRY - EALD TO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL UNITS - ATTACHMENT A - Page 3 of 3
ATTACHMENT B
APPLICATION FOR
EARLY ENTRY - ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER
TO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL UNITS
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Early Entry - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placements are for Aboriginal children and/or Torres Strait Islander
children.
Early Entry - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placements can only be offered if preschool unit places are available.
Early Entry - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placements are offered from the beginning of Term 3 in the school
year.
Children can also attend the Koori Preschool Program for up to nine hours per week.
Child’s Family Name:
Date of Birth:
/
/
Child’s Given Name/s:
Male
Parent/Carer 1:
Address:
Parent/Carer 2:
Phone:
Address:
Female
(please circle)
Phone:
Nominated Preschool Unit:
Other children in the family
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Does your child attend the Koori Preschool Program
Yes
No
If yes, which site? ______________________________________________
Is transport available to a Preschool unit other than the preschool unit requested?
Yes
No
Does your family speak Aboriginal English in the home?
Yes
No
Does your family speak a traditional Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language in the home?
Yes
No
If yes, what language/s? _____________________________________________________________
Ensuring your privacy is protected
The ACT Education and Training Directorate (the Directorate) collects information on this form to enable it to effectively manage
enrolment in ACT public schools. The Directorate provides this information (on request) to other government agencies authorised to
receive it. The information you provide will be used or disclosed for the following purposes:
• General student administration relating to the education and welfare of the student
• Communication with students, parents or carers
• To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students, staff and visitors to the school
• ACT and national reporting purposes
• For any other purpose required by law.
Further information about privacy is available on the Directorate website at www.det.act.gov.au or by contacting Governance and Legal
Liaison on (02) 6205 8229.
Signature: Parent/Guardian ……………………………………………………………... Date:
/
/
ATTACHMENT C
2012 APPLICATION FOR
EARLY ENTRY TO PRESCHOOL
(VISION AND OR HEARING PROGRAM)
 Early Entry (Vision and or Hearing Program) to preschools is available for children who are
hearing or vision impaired and / or have parents who are hearing or vision impaired.
 Early Entry (Vision and or Hearing Program) placements can only be offered if preschool
places are available.
 Early Entry (Vision and or Hearing Program) placements are offered as from the beginning
of Third Term in the school year.
 Children are offered a maximum of 6 hours per week
Child’s Family Name:
Date of Birth:
/
/
Child’s Given Name/s:
Male
Parent/Carer 1:
Address:
Parent/Carer 2:
Phone:
Address:
Female
(please circle)
Phone:
Nominated Preschool:
Registration Number:
Other children in the family
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Name _______________________________
Male/Female
Date of birth: ___________________
Reason why placement is requested (Parents/Guardians to complete)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is transport available to a Preschool other than requested?
Yes
No
Does the child go to a child care centre or family day care program?
Yes
No
Please attach a supporting statement from a doctor, teacher, social worker or health care
professional.
Ensuring your privacy is protected
The ACT Education and Training Directorate (the Directorate) collects information on this form to enable it to effectively manage
enrolment in ACT public schools. The Directorate provides this information (on request) to other government agencies
authorised to receive it
The information you provide will be used or disclosed for the following purposes:
• General student administration relating to the education and welfare of the student
• Communication with students, parents or carers
• To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students, staff and visitors to the school
• ACT and national reporting purposes
• For any other purpose required by law.
Further information about privacy is available on the Department website at www.det.act.gov.au or by contacting Governance
and Legal Liaison on (02) 6205 8229
Signature Parent/Guardian ……………………………………………………………... ……/……/…