Major milestone in SA’s 3-year-old preschool roll-out
The roll-out of 3-year-old preschool in South Australia is getting closer, with another major milestone reached today.
Expressions of interest are now open for long day care services to partner with the state government to deliver 3-year-old preschool from 2026.
The evidence is clear that all children benefit from 2 years of quality, teacher-led preschool programs. These programs help children to thrive when they are young and set them up for a stronger start to school and beyond.
That is why the state government is investing in quality preschool programs across a range of services. The number of services offering 3-year-old preschool will grow from 2026 as we build the workforce and early childhood infrastructure needed to achieve this generational reform. By 2032, every child in South Australia will have access to 15 hours per week of 3-year-old preschool.
More than 60 per cent of 3-year-olds in South Australia are already in a long day care program. Offering preschool in settings where children are already receiving other early childhood services supports quality, accessibility, and flexibility for families.
The roll-out in long day care will start from 2026 across the state where services are ready to deliver 3-year-old preschool. Eligible services can access funding to support teacher-led preschool delivery to children enrolled in their services.
The roll-out in government and other sessional preschools will start with regional and rural areas in 2026 and 2027, the greater Adelaide area in 2028, and metro Adelaide starting in 2029 and 2030.
The roll-out will leverage the capacity and expertise across the whole early childhood sector and enable thousands of children to access the 3-year-old preschool program from the early stages of the reform.
All South Australian children will continue to have a place in a government preschool in the year before school.
Expressions of interest can be submitted via the OECD website by 28 February 2025. Future opportunities to express interest will be available as the roll-out progresses.
Quotes attributable to Hon Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills
We’re on track to deliver generational reform to early childhood education in South Australia – giving all 3-year-old children access to a quality, teacher-led preschool program.
Research has shown that 2 years is better than 1 when it comes to early learning, because it puts our youngest students on a journey towards successful learning, ensuring they are ready and engaged for school from day one.
That’s why it is important to give children access to the quality preschool programs they deserve earlier.