Kindergarten & Preschool in Brisbane
Kindergarten and preschool programs cover the year or two before school, usually for children aged three to five. Unlike long day care, most kindergarten programs run to a school-term calendar and follow a structured early learning curriculum aimed at building the social, language, and pre-literacy skills kids need before Prep. In Brisbane, you'll find this delivered through standalone kindergartens, preschool rooms inside long day care centres, and community-run services attached to churches or local associations. We've listed 37 of these services across the city.
What to look for
Start with the qualifications mix: a Bachelor-qualified early childhood teacher should be leading the room, not just supervising from a distance. Ask about educator-to-child ratios, how the service handles the transition to Prep, and whether the outdoor space actually gets used daily rather than sitting behind a locked gate. Check the term structure and fees carefully, since kindy calendars, public holiday closures, and vacation care options vary a lot between providers. A walk-through during pickup time tells you more than any brochure: watch how staff talk to the kids and whether the daily program is visible on a wall somewhere, not just promised in an enrolment pack.
How we score
Our rankings weigh qualifications and staffing, program structure, facilities, parent feedback, and value for the fees charged. See the best kindergarten and preschool providers in Brisbane for the full ranked list, and read our methodology for exactly how each score is built.
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All kindergarten & preschool, ranked by score and relevance
We found 37 businesses offering kindergarten & preschool; 29 met the criteria for the scored directory. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is kindergarten & preschool, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
Enquiries submitted through our forms may be shared with partner providers able to do the work, and we may receive a referral fee. Our rankings and scores follow our published method only and are not affected by referral fees.
Common questions about kindergarten & preschool
- How much does kindergarten cost in Brisbane?
- Fees vary widely depending on whether the program is standalone or part of a long day care centre, but expect anywhere from around $60 to $130 a day before subsidies. Community kindergartens are often cheaper than private centre-based programs, and the Queensland Kindergarten Funding scheme can reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible families.
- How often does my child need to attend?
- Most Brisbane kindy programs run two to three days a week, or five shorter sessions, aligned with school terms rather than year-round. Some centre-based preschool rooms offer daily attendance if you also need standard child care coverage.
- What should I expect in a typical kindy day?
- A mix of structured group activities (stories, counting, letter recognition), free play, outdoor time, and rest or quiet periods, usually built around a documented program that ties back to the Early Years Learning Framework.
- How do I judge the quality of a kindergarten?
- Look at staff qualifications and turnover, ask to see a sample of the program or learning journals, observe a session if allowed, and check how the service communicates progress and prepares children for the move to Prep.
Guides to choosing kindergarten & preschool
- Transitioning from long day care to kindergarten in Brisbane
What changes when your child moves from long day care into a kindergarten program, and how to make the switch smoother for everyone.