Amina Javed, who has worked in the childcare sector for 15 years, explained the differences between preschool, sessional kindergarten and long day care in Australia, and how the system differs from that in Pakistan.
Speaking to SBS, Amina Javed explained that childcare in Australia combines early childhood education and care, allowing parents to leave their children at a centre from 6am to 6pm while they work or study. According to her, in Victoria, children can attend long day care from around six weeks of age until they are three, after which they can move on to sessional kindergarten or kindergarten. She said children generally need to be five years old by April to start school.
Javed explained that in Pakistan, children generally begin their schooling through playgroup at around two and a half to three years of age. In Australia, however, children are prepared for school through play-based learning for up to two years, with a focus on developing basic literacy and numeracy skills.
She said the same approach continues into the first year of school, known as Foundation, making the transition easier and more positive for children. Javed added that the Victorian Government provides 15 hours of free kindergarten each week, which can be spread over two days, while government subsidies based on household income help cover the cost of care on the remaining days.
