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Consent and confirmation process for preschool enrolments

From 2027 there is a new approach to obtaining consent to share information and for confirming preschool enrolment in the Flying Start 3- and 4-year-old preschool program.

This new process will apply for children starting Flying Start preschool in 2027 that have not already completed the 2026 Declaration and Consent form.

See the Consent to share information and enrolment confirmation - Information for partner services for more detail.

What is changing?

From 2027, Partner Services and Providers will need to complete two steps:

  • Consent is parents/guardians consenting to sharing their and their child’s personal information with the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) to administer the Flying Start preschool programs and comply with early childhood reporting obligations.
  • Confirmation is parents/guardians confirming their child's funded 3- or 4-year-old preschool arrangements.

Where consent has already been obtained from families for 2027 preschool enrolments (using the 2026 Declaration and Consent forms), services will not need to ask families to complete the new 2027 forms.

What you need to do

  • Determine whether obtaining parent/guardian consent to share data with the OECD will be embedded in your enrolment/annual consent process.
  • If embedding consent into your process, update your enrolment/consent documentation using the approved wording provided in the Policy and Funding Guide for 2027 delivery, and link to the OECD’s Privacy Notice.
  • Establish a process for managing consent and confirmation requirements.
  • Make sure consent and notification forms are kept as prescribed child enrolment records in accordance with National Regulations.

Services can choose to either:

  • Include the standard OECD consent wording in your existing enrolment and/or annual consent process. The required wording is outlined in the 2027 Policy and Funding Guide. The OECD’s Privacy Notice must also be provided or linked to and is available on the OECD’s website.

OR

Consent can be obtained when the child first enrols at the service.

  • For existing enrolments, consent must be obtained 6 months before the child’s earliest eligible date to commence 3-year-old preschool.
  • If a child enrols within 6 months of their eligible preschool commencement date, consent should be obtained at enrolment.

There are two confirmation notices for Flying Start preschool. This is because there are different eligibility requirements for services to receive funding.

While consent will cover all programs, the confirmation notices will not be applicable to Preschool Plus enrolments – this program will continue to have separate offer and acceptance requirements.

See the Consent to share information and enrolment confirmation - Information for partner services for more detail about issuing the notices.

What about 2026 Declaration and Consent forms?

You can continue to use the 2026 Declaration and Consent forms for any additional enrolments ahead of the Term 4 data submission deadline (6 November).

These forms will be removed after the Term 4 data submission process is completed. Any new enrolments after this should follow the above 2027 process.

Where can I get more information?

Speak with your Local Team for help with the new Consent and Confirmation process.