Universal preschool
The new preschool offer for South Australian children
Children who engage in early childhood education have better outcomes in the long term, and they are better prepared to thrive at school. All children benefit from taking part in 2 years of quality early childhood education and care in the years before school. The government will invest in 15 hours of preschool a week for all 3-year-olds, which will be rolled out in stages from 2026 to 2032.
More than 60% of 3-year-olds in South Australia, about 12,000 children, attend an early learning service. Offering preschool in settings where children are already receiving other early childhood education and care services supports quality and flexibility for families.
Quality 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, 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 for planning time, professional learning, access to tools and curriculum materials for early childhood teachers is included in this reform.
There is also funding available for a learning and development program, services to support children’s additional needs, and family outreach for children to enrol and stay in preschool.
We aspire for every child to have access to a quality preschool program in their local government preschool in the year before full-time school.
Rolling out universal preschool
From 2026 to 2032, South Australians will see early childhood education and care services progressively offer a quality preschool program for 3-year-olds.
Long day care providers across the state who meet quality and workforce requirements will partner with the government and offer a 3-year-old preschool program to children enrolled in their services.
Government preschools will also phase in the availability of 3-year-old preschool places from 2026. This will start with rural and regional communities, before moving on to other parts of the state.
We’re investing in 3-year-old preschool that upholds South Australia’s strong reputation for quality. This includes support for early childhood teachers with planning time and professional learning in both government and non-government preschool settings, as well as access to quality curriculum resources.
Extra support for children who need it most
All children benefit from 2 years of quality preschool, but children who need more support benefit more – and are likely to gain more from extra hours.
Between 2026 and 2032, the government will put in place measures so up to 2000 3- and 4-year-old children at risk of developmental vulnerability will be able to access up to 30 hours of preschool a week in each of the 2 years before school.
Building from the offerings of Children’s Centres, integrated hubs will bring preschool together with other offerings to ensure families and children can be supported to access the services they need in one place.
Hubs will be established in areas of high developmental vulnerability, with community need. Two demonstration integrated hub sites will be up and running for term 4, 2025.
The operating model for these hubs will be developed in consultation with local communities, experts and providers. The best data and applied research available will be integrated into these demonstration sites, and insights from demonstration sites will inform future decisions about how to identify and offer places to more children as part of the roll-out from 2026.