Skip to main content Skip to side navigation
    0 results available.

    Step-by-step guide to expressing your interest

    Launch the full step-by-step guide as a printable PDF

    The step-by-step guide on this page provides detailed instructions for completing expressions of interest (EOI) to support long day care services seeking to become funded preschool providers under the new model (for a 2026 commencement of service delivery).

    It should be read in conjunction with the draft Policy and Funding Guide.

    Online portal

    This round of EOIs must be submitted in the iApply online portal.

    The EOI is divided into 6 parts:

    1. Overview
    2. Provider details
    3. Service details
    4. Certification
    5. Submit
    6. Receipt

    Before starting the EOI process, ensure you have:

    • read the draft Policy and Funding Guide
    • read the step-by-step guide to expressing your interest
    • checked your eligibility against the Pre-Expression of Interest Quick Eligibility Check below
    • the following information:
      • your provider and your organisation details, and
      • for each of your services, current and projected service level information including:
        • the number and FTE of early childhood teachers
        • the number of early childhood teacher-led rooms
        • the approved places for each early childhood teacher-led room
        • the number of 3- and 4-year-old children enrolled in your service for preschool and/or other programs.

    You’ll also need to ensure you have these 2 mandatory attachments:

    • A Certificate of Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20m, including coverage for allegations of historic or current child abuse.
    • Copies of your audited financial statements (or where not available, endorsed by a senior finance officer) from 2023 calendar or 2023 -24 financial year (depending on your accounting cycle).

    We recommend you complete your expression of interest in one sitting.  It could take about 20 minutes. For providers with multiple services, information relating to enrolment, quality measures, and workforce will be requested for each service.

    This step-by-step guide will work through each section sequentially. You will not be able to skip forward to the next section in iApply until you have completed the mandatory questions in the previous section.

    Pre-expression of interest quick eligibility check

    1. Are you a government service?
      • Yes → You do not need to submit an expression of interest. Government preschools will continue to be centrally managed by the Department for Education.
      • No → Proceed to question 2.
    2. Do you want to partner with the OECD to deliver 3-year-old preschool from January 2026?
      • No → You do not need to complete an EOI in this cycle.
      • Yes → Proceed to question 3.
    3. Are you a long day care service?
    4. Do you have a centre-based care service approved under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011?
    5. Is your service rated as Meeting or above National Quality Standards?
      • No → The OECD will partner with some services working towards. You are encouraged to apply, and your EOI will be assessed based on a range of factors. Proceed to question 6.
      • Yes → Proceed to question 6.
    6. Do you have existing Early Childhood Teacher/s (degree-qualified or a ECT SAT)?
      • No → You may submit an EOI, however an Early Childhood Teacher will need to be in place prior to beginning delivery.
      • Yes → Proceed to question 7.
    7. Do you hold Public Liability Insurance ($20m) covering child abuse allegations?
      • No → You may not be eligible to partner with the OECD. Contact the OECD to confirm eligibility at OECD.PreschoolFunding@sa.gov.au
      • Yes → Proceed to question 8.
    8. Will your service comply with the core partnership requirements outlined in the draft Policy and Funding Guide?
      • No → You may not be eligible to partner with the OECD. Contact the OECD to confirm eligibility at OECD.PreschoolFunding@sa.gov.au
      • Yes → You are likely eligible to partner with the OECD to deliver 3-year-old preschool from January 2026. Submit an EOI for assessment.