Starting school is one of the most exciting milestones in your child’s life, and families in the Parramatta area are fortunate to have outstanding primary schools right on their doorstep. Whether your child is heading to a government school along the tree-lined streets of North Parramatta or a private school in the heart of the CBD, the kindergarten classrooms of Western Sydney are ready to welcome your little learner with open arms.
At Kiddie Garden, our school readiness preschool program is designed to build the confidence, independence and social skills that local kindergarten teachers love to see on day one. Here is a list of the primary schools in Parramatta and surrounding suburbs, some of their catchment areas, and what transitioning to kindergarten looks like in practice between each school.
Public Schools in Parramatta
Kiddie Garden sits at the meeting point of Parramatta and North Parramatta, a one-minute walk from the Parramatta Light Rail and within easy reach of Parramatta Park, the Parramatta River foreshore, and the Parramatta CBD. That central position means many of the area’s best primary schools are within a short drive or even a walk from our front door.
Parramatta North Public School
Address: Albert Street, North Parramatta NSW 2151
Parramatta North Public School is the closest government primary school to Kiddie Garden, just a few minutes up the road. With around 445 students from kindergarten to Year 6, it offers a community-focused learning environment where every student is known, valued and supported.
The catchment area for Parramatta North Public School is James Ruse Drive to the north, Toongabbie Creek to the west, Grose Street to the south, and Brickfield and Saunders Streets to the east.
The school delivers specialised enrichment programs alongside strong literacy and numeracy instruction. Creative arts offerings include band, dance, choir and drumming, giving children plenty of pathways to discover their strengths beyond the classroom. Principal Kathryn Methven leads a team committed to differentiated programs that inspire and challenge all learners.
For kindergarten families, the school runs orientation sessions in Term 4 the year before entry, helping children and parents become familiar with the environment and routines. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to visit their future playground, meet their teacher and start building excitement for big school.
What kindergarten teachers here value: Confidence in group settings, curiosity about new experiences and the ability to follow simple classroom routines.
Bayanami Public School
Address: 3 Marist Place, Parramatta NSW 2150
Bayanami Public School is one of the newest and most distinctive government schools in the Parramatta area, yet it sits on one of the most historically significant education sites in Australia. The school occupies the beautifully restored former King’s School campus on O’Connell Street, where sandstone buildings dating back to the 1830s have been given new life as bright, modern learning spaces. In 2019, the school was renamed from O’Connell Street Public School to Bayanami – a word from the Aboriginal Dharug language meaning “to learn.”
Designed as a future-focused school for up to 1,000 students, Bayanami features expansive play areas, a spacious grass oval, a well-resourced library, a student kitchen and cutting-edge digital technologies. The heritage-listed grounds include significant trees from the original King’s School era, including London plane trees, Morton Bay figs and camphor laurels that give the campus a sense of grandeur and connection to the past. The school sits close to the Parramatta River foreshore, and the riverfront oval adds to the generous outdoor space available for active play.
Principal Amanda Connelly leads a team focused on developing every learner as a whole person. The school’s values of Connections, Creativity and Curiosity guide everything from classroom programs to community engagement. STEM, sport, creative arts and wellbeing programs provide a broad curriculum that encourages critical thinking from the very first year. TASK (The After School Klub) operates before and after school care and holiday care on the grounds.
The catchment area for Bayanami Public School is wide. It borders Park Parade to the west, Toongabbie Creek to the north, following along the Parramatta river and along Grose Street until you get to MacArthur Street, then heads south to George Street. If you live north of the Great Western Highway (A44) you may be in luck – apartments on Pitt Street, Campbell Street and Argyle Street are also within the catchment, as are residences within the immediate vicinity of Westfield Parramatta.
Kindergarten classes at Bayanami are formed after teachers spend the first few weeks getting to know all students, ensuring each child is placed in the best learning group for their needs. Three-way conferences between parents, students and teachers are held in Term 1 to discuss early progress.
What kindergarten teachers here value: A love of discovery, comfort with new environments and the social confidence to make friends in a large, diverse and vibrant school community.
Burnside Public School
Address: 1 Masons Drive, North Parramatta NSW 2151
Burnside Public School is a small school with a big heart, nestled in spacious and attractive grounds in North Parramatta. Founded in 1922 to serve the children of the Burnside Presbyterian Homes (now UnitingCare Burnside), the school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022 and carries a rich heritage that is woven into its identity. The school motto, “Omnia Pro Bono”, meaning “for the good of all”, reflects a philosophy of inclusion, care and community that runs through everything it does.
With around 248 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 1 to 18, Burnside offers the kind of close-knit learning environment where every child is known by name. Principal Gill Bennett leads a team of dedicated teachers who create engaging and inclusive classrooms that celebrate each student’s individual strengths. The school’s heritage campus sits on two hectares of land bounded by Cumberland Highway and Masons Drive, within walking distance of The King’s School Preparatory grounds. The partnership between families, staff and the local community creates a caring atmosphere where children feel safe, confident and inspired.
Extra-curricular offerings include a band program, choir, dance, PSSA sport, debating and public speaking. A recent building program added a new library and double classroom to the historic site, and OOSH and vacation care are available on the grounds.
If you live in between North Rocks Road, James Ruse Drive, and Pennant Hills road you are in the catchment area for Burnside Public School. Key streets include Sutherland Road and homes north of the Richie Benaud Oval and Belmore Park, and homes in the culdesacs off Strathalbyn Drive and the northern section of Gollan Ave in Oatlands.
What kindergarten teachers here value: A sense of belonging, the confidence to participate in a small and supportive classroom, and the curiosity to explore and discover through hands-on learning.
Parramatta Public School
Address: 177 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Parramatta Public School sits in the heart of the Parramatta CBD, adjacent to Arthur Phillip High School and Western Sydney University. This is one of the largest primary schools in the area, with over 1,150 students representing 47 different languages. The school celebrates this diversity through Chinese and Hindi language programs, First Nations initiatives and multicultural education.
The school is undergoing a major redevelopment as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to state-of-the-art education centres in Western Sydney. New facilities include future-focused flexible teaching spaces, a sustainably designed rooftop learning area with solar panels, and a range of indoor and outdoor spaces for active and passive play.
With the school motto “Education for Life,” Parramatta Public School fosters a sense of belonging for the whole community. The principal offers school tours for new families, and the admin team can guide you through the enrolment process step by step.
What kindergarten teachers here value: An openness to new friendships, respect for diverse cultures and the confidence to express ideas in group settings. The multicultural richness of this school means children who have been part of Kiddie Garden’s diverse community feel right at home.
Parramatta East Public School
Address: Brabyn Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Parramatta East Public School serves a culturally diverse community from over 42 countries, with over 80% of students coming from a non-english language background. With around 530 students and a school motto of “Ever Aim High,” the school is known for strong community support and a commitment to personal excellence across the curriculum.
Students enjoy extra-curricular programs including band, recorder, choir, gardening, debating, chess and dance. Well-resourced classrooms with up-to-date technology ensure children develop 21st-century learning capabilities from their earliest school days. The school is actively involved in the broader Parramatta community through sporting, cultural, environmental and academic initiatives.
Kindergarten orientation and parent-child interviews are held in Term 4, ensuring every new student feels welcomed and prepared.
What kindergarten teachers here value: Enthusiasm for learning, the ability to play cooperatively and a growing sense of independence with daily routines.
Parramatta West Public School
Address: 57 Auburn Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Parramatta West Public School has been part of the Parramatta community since 1888, when it first opened as Pitt Row. Today, with around 860 students and over 50 nationalities represented, it is one of the largest and most vibrant primary schools in the area.
The school has developed an excellent kindergarten transition program that runs across the end of Term 3 and into Term 4. Children and parents become familiar with the environment and understand expectations well before day one. There is also a “Beginning School Well” program for refugee families and their children. The school works with Community Hubs Australia to run a welcoming community hub on site.
Students enjoy opportunities in dance, recorder, violin, choir, drama, drumming and visual arts, alongside leadership programs and a strong focus on literacy and numeracy.
What kindergarten teachers here value: A readiness to try new experiences, the social skills to make friends in a diverse classroom and the growing ability to manage personal belongings independently.
Private Schools in Parramatta
St Patrick's Primary School
Address: Villiers Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
St Patrick’s Primary School is one of the oldest Catholic schools in Western Sydney, established in 1820. Located close to St Patrick’s Cathedral in the Parramatta CBD, the school serves around 415 students from kindergarten to Year 6.
The school’s values of Respect, Resilience and Compassion are woven into daily life, from morning assembly prayers to the student charter and playground interactions. Kindergarten at St Patrick’s falls within Early Stage 1, where children begin their formal learning journey through structured programs built on the NSW syllabus. General class information meetings are held for parents early in Term 1, and the school uses Compass as its primary parent communication tool.
The Ambrose Out of School Hours Care program operates on the school grounds, providing before and after school care as well as pupil-free day care for kindergarten through Year 6 families.
What kindergarten teachers here value: Respect for others, a positive attitude towards learning and the emotional resilience to manage a full school day with confidence.
St Monica's Primary School
Address: 10 Daking Street, North Parramatta NSW 2151
Just around the corner from Kiddie Garden, St Monica’s Primary School is a Catholic co-educational school established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1892. With approximately 200 students in individual learning groups for kindergarten through to Year 2, then stage groupings for the primary grades, St Monica’s provides a nurturing and personalised learning experience.
The school is part of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese and places student learning at the centre of everything it does. Kindergarten students at St Monica’s enjoy hands-on activities through Fit Futures sport lessons, creative learning through puppetry and storytelling, and meaningful community connections like writing cards for residents at nearby Courtlands Aged Care. The school also offers Ambrose School Aged Care on the grounds for before and after school care.
The main enrolment period for kindergarten is between March and May in the year before your child starts school. Children who turn five on or before 31 July are eligible.
What kindergarten teachers here value: A love of learning, kindness towards others and the willingness to have a go at new things.
Sacred Heart Primary School
Address: 12 Ralph Street, Westmead NSW 2145 (moving to 2 Darcy Road, Westmead from Term 3, 2026)
A short drive from Kiddie Garden, Sacred Heart Primary School in Westmead is about to enter a new chapter. From Term 3, 2026, Sacred Heart Primary (Ralph Street) and Mother Teresa Primary will come together as a single K–6 school in a brand-new, architect-designed building at 2 Darcy Road, Westmead, as part of the Westmead Catholic Community project.
Founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy, Sacred Heart has always been recognised as a creative centre for learning with a warm, welcoming environment. With approximately 200 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 1 to 16, the school provides highly personalised attention for kindergarten learners.
The school’s inquiry-based approach encourages children to take ownership of their learning and develop curiosity that transfers to real-life experiences.
What kindergarten teachers here value: Curiosity, a willingness to explore new ideas and the confidence to ask questions in a supportive classroom setting.
Redeemer Baptist School
Address: 2 Masons Drive, North Parramatta NSW 2151
Redeemer Baptist School is a co-educational Christian school offering education from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 12, established in 1981 as a ministry of Redeemer Baptist Church. The school’s main campus sits on nine hectares of elevated parkland in North Parramatta, bounded by James Ruse Drive, Pennant Hills Road and Masons Drive. It is directly adjacent to Burnside Public School and within the same historic precinct as The King’s School and Tara Anglican School for Girls.
The campus is housed in magnificent heritage buildings that were once part of the Burnside Presbyterian Homes, originally built by philanthropist Sir James Burns. These grand sandstone structures, including the heritage-listed Sargood Hall, give the school a distinctive character that feels more like a university campus than a primary school. Alongside these historic buildings sit modern facilities including a hi-tech Science and Technology Centre, the N. F. Cannon Library, a 25-metre swimming pool, multiple ovals, a multi-purpose sports court, and music and drama facilities.
Redeemer is structured in three stages:
- Preparatory School (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 4)
- Middle School (Years 5–8)
- Senior School (Years 9–12)
With around 400 students across all year groups, class sizes are small and the school prides itself on a learning environment described in a Federal Government review as “thoughtful, free, sharing and respectful.” The school is registered with NESA and is a member of both the Australian Association of Christian Schools and the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.
A standout feature of Redeemer’s early years program is its K–12 literacy approach using the WRAP (Writing Approach to Reading) method of multisensory instruction built on phonemic awareness. The school is recognised as a model school for this program, which has been adopted by schools across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Pre-Kindergarten follows the Early Stage 1 NESA syllabus as a structured educational program, with Homework Club supervision available until 6pm for families who need extended hours. The School of Music offers tuition in cello, clarinet, flute, guitar, piano, recorder, saxophone and violin, and students participate in athletics, basketball, cricket, cross-country, gymnastics, netball, soccer, swimming, tennis and an eight-day adventure camp.
The school also operates a second campus at the heritage-listed Castle Hill House (circa 1844) in Castle Hill, home to the Hills Regional Skills Centre for vocational education in senior years, and an outdoor education campus at Long Beach on the NSW South Coast.
The school operates its own bus service from Merrylands, Parramatta, Epping, Castle Hill, Beecroft, Blacktown and Kings Langley.
What the Preparatory School values: Strong phonemic awareness and a love of reading, the confidence to participate in a respectful and collaborative classroom, and the curiosity to explore learning through both structured programs and creative play.
How Living in Parramatta Connects to School Readiness
Living and learning in Parramatta gives your child a head start that goes beyond the classroom. The everyday experiences your family enjoys in this community are building the very skills that kindergarten teachers are looking for.
Parramatta Park and Old Government House
Walking through the parklands, spotting birds along the river, climbing on playground equipment and exploring wide open spaces builds gross motor skills, curiosity about the natural world and the stamina for an active school day. Many local schools use the park for excursions, cross-country carnivals and outdoor learning.
Parramatta River Foreshore
Watching the ducks, crossing footbridges and chatting about what you see together strengthens language development, observation skills and the kind of sustained attention that helps children thrive in kindergarten group time.
The Parramatta Light Rail
Kiddie Garden is just a one-minute walk from the light rail. Riding public transport with your child builds confidence in new environments, reinforces safety awareness and provides wonderful opportunities for conversations about the community around you.
Western Sydney University Parramatta campus
Visible from Parramatta Public School, the university campus is a reminder of the lifelong learning journey that begins with that very first day of kindergarten. Children who grow up seeing higher education as part of their everyday landscape develop a natural connection to learning as something that continues and grows.
Parramatta CBD
The shops, libraries, cultural events and diverse restaurants of Parramatta’s city centre expose your child to different languages, cultures and experiences every day. This familiarity with diversity is exactly what makes children from our community so well prepared for the multicultural classrooms of local primary schools.
Enrolment Timelines to Keep in Mind
Planning ahead makes the transition to school smoother for everyone. Here is a general guide:
For government schools (Parramatta Public, Parramatta North, Parramatta East, Parramatta West): Check your local intake area using the NSW School Finder tool. Enrolments are accepted throughout the year, and most schools run kindergarten orientation programs in Term 4. Online enrolment is available for Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
For Catholic schools (St Monica’s, St Patrick’s, Sacred Heart): The main enrolment period for kindergarten is typically between March and May in the year before your child will start school. Contact the school directly to request an application and arrange a tour.
All schools require proof of your child’s date of birth (birth certificate), immunisation records and proof of residential address as part of the enrolment process.
What Parramatta Kindergarten Teachers Hope to See When Transitioning to Primary School
Before we look at each school, it helps to understand what kindergarten readiness means in NSW. The NSW Department of Education publishes a Getting Ready for Primary School guide each year. Your child can start kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before 31 July of that year, and by law, all children must be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday.
School readiness is not about being able to read chapter books or solve maths equations. It is about your child feeling confident, curious and capable in a new environment. Every NSW public school conducts the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment in the first five weeks of school. This one-on-one assessment with their classroom teacher identifies the literacy and numeracy skills your child brings with them, so teachers can plan learning programs tailored to each child’s strengths. It takes about 20 minutes for each component and requires no preparation or study.
Across all Parramatta primary schools, the skills that help children settle in happily include:
Social confidence
Sharing, taking turns, playing alongside others, asking for help and engaging in simple conversations. These are skills your child practises every day in our preschool and school readiness program at Kiddie Garden.
Independence with everyday tasks
Opening and closing a lunchbox, putting on and taking off a jumper, managing their own bag, and using the toilet independently. Small wins at morning tea and outdoor play lay the groundwork for these capabilities.
Listening and following simple instructions
Sitting with a group for a story, following a two-step direction and waiting for their turn to speak. Group time at Kiddie Garden builds this stamina gently and joyfully.
Fine motor readiness
Holding a pencil with a comfortable grip, using scissors safely, and engaging in drawing or colouring. Art and craft activities in our preschool program strengthen these skills through creativity rather than drills.
Emotional resilience
Coping with changes in routine, saying goodbye to a parent at drop-off and recovering from minor setbacks. Children who have experienced the warm, consistent routines of long day care often arrive at school with this resilience already well developed.
Your Child Is Already on the Path
If your child is enrolled at Kiddie Garden, they are already developing the school readiness skills that local kindergarten teachers value most. Every morning circle time, every shared meal, every outdoor adventure and every gentle goodbye at drop-off is building the social confidence, independence and love of learning that will carry them into their first year of school and well beyond.
Our educators work in alignment with the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standard, and our school readiness program is designed to support a smooth transition from preschool to formal schooling. We know every child brings their own strengths, interests and pace of development, and we celebrate that.
If you would like to talk about how we can support your child’s transition to any of the wonderful schools listed here, our team is always happy to chat. You can also book a tour to see our preschool program in action and learn more about how we prepare children for the next exciting chapter of their learning journey.