It's mandatory isn't it? Is in Vic anyway

The research says children who go to some form of preschool or childcare are more likely to stay in school/ uni.

To be ready for school just make sure they:
Can get along with other kids (share, take turns,show empathy).
Can stand up for themselves
Will ask for help when they need it
Can look after their own belongings
Can sit still and listen
Can count to 10, know colours, basic shapes and recognise name
Can cut and paste
Hold pencil properly
Have good self help skills (toileting, dressing, feeding)
Are comfortable being away from you for a long time
Preschool is great for all these things. Some do reduced fees for those with a health care card (I know the one I teach at does.) If you really can’t afford it, I’d suggest going to every playgroup and library story time you can and to make sure you get them into the transition to school program for whichever school you choose. (Some of them even do full days now). It’s also worth noting, that if childcare is a cheaper option (because you get child care subsidy), that they run a preschool program just the same as a traditional preschool would, they just offer longer hours.

Yes but not because of cos just because we liked hanging out so much. That last year was probably our most special.

Just wondering what your cost is? I'm in the ACT and my eldest will be going to a public preschool next year. All fees are voluntary (they are asking for $150 for the year). Our preschool also has a program where families with the ability to pay more can sponsor a family unable to pay. Maybe see if they have something similar?

As a primary teacher, we can definitely spot which kids didn't attend kindy/preschool from a mile away.
We were only dicussing this in the staff room yesterday, how they seem struggle so badly all the way through to year 3 or 4, mostly socially if not also academically (usually both) and those early years of having issues seem to set a low bar for the rest of their schooling life or set them up for further social problems. This wouldn't be an issue if none of the children went to kindy/preschool but of course, most do and the difference it makes is stark.
I would absolutely try to send your child if you can.
Just my opinion and that of my peers.
Hope that helps!

It is fine not to send your child to preschool as long as you actively find ways for your child to learn all the skills they would have if you sent them. It will take a lot of work. Think playgroups, sporting teams, martial arts, building gross and find motor skills, making sure they can do basics such as write their name, know the alphabet, identify colours, animals, count to 100, follow instructions, sit quietly, wait their turn, do science experiments etc etc etc .If not you are just setting up your child for future struggles at school. My sister has taught kindergarten for many years and like the other poster says you can tell the ones who didn't go to preschool a mile off. She has even had to toilet train children. At 5!. Pure laziness on part of the parent.

Yep and it was because of the cost which in my opinion is absolutely disgusting.
My child isn't behind any other kid socially or academically

I'm confused. Why is it suddenly so expensive?
Is preschool the same as kindy? Where they start at 3 doing half days?
It was like $40- $50 for the year at public school depending on the area of the public school.
And even the private schools only charged half the fees because it wasn't full-time school.
What does it cost now??

Some info about the different states if it interests anyone

https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/play-learning/preschool/preschool-in-your-state

Have you enquired with your local kindergarten about concessions and subsidies? In qld there is a subsidy available from Centrelink and if you have a healthcare card/pension card etc there is an additional concession available.

it’s only $60 voluntary contribution for my kindy in WA, which is 2.5 days per week. Primary school is also $60 per year.