A new perspective on early childhood
As they enter school, South Australian children are experiencing a concerning level of developmental vulnerability. The national Australian Early Development Census found South Australian children are not faring as well as their counterparts elsewhere in Australia.
It also told us children at risk of developmental vulnerability live in families across all walks of life.
The good news is that more support in the early years of life can be effective in reducing developmental vulnerability and positively influences a child’s life trajectory. And that quality early childhood services can benefit all children.
Through bold reforms, our 20-year aim is to turn this around and reduce the rate of developmental vulnerability from 23.8% to 15%, as measured by the Australian Early Development Census.
The reform pillars
- A staged roll out of up to 15 hours a week of quality preschool programs for 3-year-olds, starting in 2026, with all children able to access the full 15 hours a week from 2032. This includes funding for a learning and development program, services to support children’s additional needs, and family outreach for children to enrol and stay in preschool.
- 3-year-old preschool programs will be offered in settings where children are already receiving early childhood education and care services, whether it be long day care, or government or non-government preschool. Children enrolled in long day care services will receive their preschool program in that service as it becomes available.
- Funding will be provided for planning time, professional learning, access to tools and curriculum materials for early childhood teachers and educators delivering in 3- and 4-year-old preschool programs, regardless of setting.
- A staged roll out will start in 2026 of up to 30 hours of preschool a week for up to 2000 children who need more support, across each of the 2 years before school. Eligible children will receive these services via a mix of integrated hubs and other early learning services.
- Integrated hubs will also provide more community outreach and family support in areas of high developmental vulnerability.
- The Department for Education is trialling preschool out of hours care in government-operated preschool (Kindy Care) in 2024 at 20 locations, which will inform a broader roll-out from late 2025.
- Beginning in 2024, 3-year-old Aboriginal children at government-operated preschools can access 15 hours of preschool a week, up from 12 hours.
- From 2025, extending the Enter for Success Strategy will allow Aboriginal children to enrol in any government school in the state, to also apply in government preschools.
- Work to begin with Aboriginal communities to co-design and deliver initiatives so Aboriginal children receive increased benefits from 3-year-old preschool.
- A new investment of $56 million is being made over 4 years to attract, develop and support the early childhood education and care workforce we will need to deliver this ambitious reform. A workforce strategy will be launched in June and will include a significant scholarship program.
- Financial support options are now available, aimed at attracting, retaining, and upskilling early childhood professionals and increasing the availability of quality early childhood education and care.
- Changes to the Teachers Registration and Standards Regulations 2021 are being pursued so teachers with a degree recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority can register as a teacher in South Australia. This will boost supply and enable a wider range of qualifications, including the development of new degrees, with a stronger focus on quality early childhood education.
- Creation of a coordinated referral pathway to support children who are at greatest risk, to access their preschool entitlement. Additionally, government preschool hours for 3-year-old children in care are increasing from 12 hours to 15 hours a week.
- Availability and uptake of child health and development checks across South Australia is being expanded, which is essential to help services identify children’s developmental needs and connect families to additional supports where they need them earlier in life.
- Parents will benefit from expanded early childhood parenting groups through the Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) from 2025 to 2026, as well as expert advice and resources to support the inclusion of children with additional needs and developmental vulnerabilities.
A new system across every stage of the early years
The new early childhood development system will support all children from birth to 5 years with information and services for families and carers.
The system will use data and evidence to uphold and drive quality and help us adapt over time as new evidence comes to light. Across the system, you will see changes for:
Birth and baby
- better access to parenting support
- information about early childhood development and why it matters.
Toddler
- increased access to child health and development checks
- facilitate better access to childcare in areas of need (Australian Government)
- childcare that connects you to other supports.
Preschool
- universal, quality preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds
- up to 30 hours a week for developmentally vulnerable children
- 3-year-old preschool available in early childhood education and care services, including long day care and preschools
- gateway to additional supports and connection to other services
- introduce out of hours care (OSHC) in preschool.
School
- increase OSHC access across the state
- improved quality of OSHC services
- more support for inclusion in OSHC.