ECEC Provider in Focus: French Australian Preschool

With 132 places, the French Australian Preschool is one of the largest preschool and long day care centres in the ACT. It has been in operation continuously in Canberra for nearly 50 years.

The preschool offers progressive immersion in the French language and meets the French Ministry of Education’s curriculum requirements for the école maternelle system.

The history of the French Australian Preschool

The broader educational community around the preschool began in 1969 when Monsieur Albert Salon, Conseiller Culturel at the French Embassy, set up a school for the handful of French children living in Canberra.

The preschool opened in 1973, welcoming children from all cultural backgrounds and expanding to two classes. One class was held at the Alliance Française in Turner and the other was held in a church hall in Lyneham.

In 1977, the school was recognised by the Commonwealth Department of Education and the ACT School’s Authority and moved to rented premises attached to the Red Hill Primary School, with the preschool expanding to three classes as a result of the additional space available. 

In 1983, following the agreement reached between the French and Australian governments to establish a bi-national school in Canberra, the French program for primary-aged students moved to Telopea Park School, while the preschool remained at the Red Hill Primary School site and took on its current name and governance structure: the French-Australian Preschool – an independent preschool set up as a not-for-profit association.

In 1994, the preschool was officially recognised by the French Ministry of Education (Homologation) and was licensed as an Australian Long Day Care Centre and opened two additional classes.

In 2012, the preschool purchased the land and buildings it currently occupies in Red Hill from the ACT Government, and in 2019, the preschool officially opened two new classrooms and a new admin area at the front of the building.

What is the French Australian Preschool vision and approach to learning? 

The preschool program operates every day of the week from 9:00am to 3:15pm during school terms, followed by afternoon tea and play until 4:00pm.

A progressive immersion approach to the French language is taken, with a program based on the French preschool curriculum, harmonised with the philosophies and main elements of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

To align with the preschool’s philosophy and goals, the preschool adopts a holistic approach to education that is based on a pedagogy of play.

Are there any unique aspects to the French Australian Preschool offer? 

The French-Australian Preschool is a not-for-profit association managed by a Board consisting of parents, staff and community representatives. It is entirely self-funded and does not receive any subsidy from either the Commonwealth, the ACT or the French governments. It has been successfully operating in Canberra since 1973.

The service offers a unique program, which is a fusion of French curriculum “Qu’apprend-on a l’Ecole Maternelle?” and the EYLF. 

Through the progressive immersion in French offering, children develop a greater understanding of how languages work and enrich their general language development. The children broaden their cultural and social sensitivity and enhance their creativity through exposure to French language and culture.

To learn more about the French Australian Preschool, visit the website.