Draft Policy and Funding Guide
Launch a printable PDF version of the draft Policy and Funding Guide
Read the draft Policy and Funding Guide (the Guide) before expressing your interest. The Guide outlines:
- the new preschool model
- eligibility criteria and partnership requirements
- contracting arrangements and funding rates.
The Guide forms part of the funding agreement between partner services and the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD).
Purpose of the Guide
The Guide provides an overview of the new 3-year-old preschool program, focusing on provider and service requirements and obligations, supports available, and funding arrangements.
The Guide will also be applicable to non-government 4-year-old preschool programs delivered by providers who partner to deliver preschool under the new model.
Non-government services
The Guide has been developed to support non-government providers seeking to become funded preschool providers under the new model. The Guide will help inform their decision to submit an expression of interest in the 2024-2025 process for a 2026 commencement of service delivery.
A final version of the Guide will be released in May 2025, and will form part of the funding agreement with the OECD.
During the roll-out, the Guide will continue to be updated periodically. Where changes are proposed, partner providers will be notified and, if changes are material, will be consulted before finalising updated versions. All updates will be published on the OECD website.
Government services
Leadership and oversight of government sessional preschool and department long day care services including rural care, continues to be through the Department for Education.
The Department for Education will centrally manage all obligations and requirements that are applicable to government services. Examples of centrally managed requirements include all funding and data requirements (expressions of interest, payment, obligations, acquittals). This also includes the approach to quality improvement, teaching and learning, preschool enrolment and inclusion of Aboriginal children and children in care.
Additionally, workforce conditions outlined throughout the Guide are currently met for department preschool employees through existing industrial provisions and will continue to be met through Department for Education policies and procedures.
From the heart
We acknowledge the Aboriginal Peoples as the first peoples of South Australia and as custodians of the lands, waters, skies and communities where we live, learn and raise children. We recognise Aboriginal Peoples as having the longest living culture, raising children safe and strong in their identity, community, culture, and connection to country.
We pay our deep respects to Elders past and present, and their role as the first knowledge-sharers for children. We follow in their footsteps. Aboriginal Peoples, working with and for children, are central in shaping our work. Their wisdom, advice, and guidance enrich our practices, creating a more inclusive and culturally safe environment for children and families. We respect Aboriginal Peoples’ ways of being doing and wise practices guiding our continual learning. Together we walk and build stronger, more supportive communities for all children.