Consultation and engagement
Collaborating and engaging with the early childhood sector
The Office for Early Childhood Development partners with early childhood sector stakeholders, service providers, government departments, Aboriginal leaders, unions, families, and the community to create a better and fairer future for children across South Australia.
We recognise we are stronger through partnership, by harnessing diverse perspectives, listening to and learning from experts in the field, and connecting parents, carers and communities with the services and support they need to help their children thrive. That’s why we actively collaborate to create a better way forward.
This page will provide details on upcoming consultations the OECD is leading and how you can be involved in shaping South Australia’s early childhood reforms.
Sign up to the OECD Newsletter to stay up-to-date on opportunities to be involved.
Contact oecd.engage@sa.gov.au for more information.
Current consultations
Preschool Boost
In November 2024, the Office for Early Childhood Development is hosting online consultations on Preschool Boost, a state government initiative that is a feature of the new 3-year-old preschool program starting from 2026.
Preschool Boost will provide universal funding to eligible 3-and 4-year-old preschool from 2026. The funding can be used to purchase from an online menu of quality, evidence-informed programs and resources that best support the needs of children at their services. This may include:
- allied health programs and support
- parenting programs
- resources to build educator capability.
If you’re a non-government preschool, long day care service, or existing or potential service supplier of preschool programs, we encourage you to participate in these consultations to help shape the design of Preschool Boost and the service menu.
Please find the registration details below.
Suppliers can learn more about Preschool Boost and the process to be included on the menu at the following online session. This session is for suppliers that are providing, or interested in providing, programs or support to preschool services in South Australia.
If you are using a mobile device, scroll across to see the full table.
| Session date | Session time | Session title | Link to register |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 November 2024 | 9am to 10.30am | Supplier programs and support opportunities: Preschool Boost workshop |
Preschool services and leaders are encouraged to register below to attend one of the following sessions. All sessions will be held online and both sessions cover the same content.
If you are using a mobile device, scroll across to see the full table.
| Session date | Session time | Session title | Link to register |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 November 2024 | 2pm to 3.30pm | Preschool services consultation: Preschool Boost | |
| 21 November 2024 | 12.30pm to 2pm | Preschool services consultation: Preschool Boost |
Additional sessions in January 2025 will cover:
- Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) domains and data to support preschool planning
- practical insights into creating the Preschool Boost Plan
- details on data collection, and administration processes.
Have a question?
Contact OECD.Engage@sa.gov.au.
Past consultations
Preschool partnership arrangements
In August and September 2024, the Office for Early Childhood Development hosted consultation sessions to share information and gather feedback on the proposed partnership arrangements for the roll-out of universal preschool for 3-year-olds from 2026.
Topics included:
- an overview of the preschool model
- proposed partnership arrangements and service eligibility
- child eligibility
- funding administration
- workforce development.
The feedback from these sessions will help shape the final partnership approach and guide the development of policies and positions as the government prepares to roll-out the new model of preschool.
What happens next?
Read the summary of the preschool partnership arrangement consultation.
The preschool policy and funding guide will be published on our website in late 2024. Providers interested in partnering with the government to deliver the new model of 3-year-old preschool will also be able to submit an Expression of Interest.
Please register your interest to be notified when these details become available and subscribe to our OECD Newsletter for general updates on the 3-year-old preschool roll-out.
Have a question?
Learn how you can get your service 3-year-old preschool ready or contact OECD.Engage@sa.gov.au
If you are on a mobile device, please scroll across to see the full table.
| Session date | Session time | Session title | Link to register |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 August 2024 | 10am to 11.30am | Partnership arrangements and service eligibility - long day care providers consultation | Consultation closed |
| 13 August 2024 | 3.30pm to 5pm | Partnership arrangements and service eligibility - non-government sessional providers consultation | Consultation closed |
| 14 August 2024 | 10am to 11.30 am | Overview of the new preschool model - long day care providers consultation | Consultation closed |
| 14 August 2024 | 3.30pm to 5pm | Overview of the new preschool model - non-government sessional providers consultation | Consultation closed |
| 20 August 2024 | 3.30pm to 5pm | Child eligibility for 3-year-old preschool consultation | Consultation closed |
| 21 August 2024 | 3.30pm to 5pm | Funding administration consultation | Consultation closed |
| 27 August 2024 | 3.30pm to 5pm | Workforce: Learning pathways and placements consultation | Consultation closed |
| 28 August 2024 | 10am to 11.30am | Workforce: Regional and remote workforce development consultation | Consultation closed |
| 28 August 2024 | 1.30 to 4pm | Proposed partnership arrangements, tailored to Aboriginal services | Consultation closed |
| 11 September 2024 | 10am to 11.30am | Preschool infrastructure - non-government school providers and peaks consultation | Consultation closed |
| 11 September 2024 | 3.30pm to 5pm | Preschool infrastructure - for-profit providers and peaks consultation | Consultation closed |
| 12 September 2024 | 10am to 11.30am | Preschool infrastructure - not-for-profit providers and peaks consultation | Consultation closed |
| 17 September 2024 | 10am to 11.30am | Preschool infrastructure - any provider or peak consultation | Consultation closed |