The South Australian Government has unveiled the initial metropolitan demonstration sites for the new three-year-old preschool initiative. Ocean View College Children’s Centre, Brentwood Drive Kindergarten, and Riverbanks College Preschool will start offering programs from 2026. These sites will play an important role in the statewide roll-out of the new preschool model.
This announcement is part of a broader series of early childhood reforms. It includes a $96.6 million investment aimed at attracting and retaining early childhood teachers. Additionally, it encompasses the introduction of new legislation intended to enhance outcomes in the early childhood education sector.
Premier Peter Malinauskas highlighted the significance of this initiative stating, “The government’s roll-out of preschool for three-year-olds marks an exciting chapter in early childhood for this state and the largest reform to education in decades.” He also noted the necessity of expanding the workforce to support this reform and positioned South Australia to become a leader in early childhood education.
Blair Boyer, the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, emphasized the strategic importance of these demonstration sites. They will provide insights crucial for deploying the three-year-old preschool programs across the state effectively. Boyer remarked, “The insights we gain from these metropolitan demonstration sites will be pivotal in shaping how government services deliver three-year-old preschool in South Australia.”
The Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care has shown that all children benefit significantly from two years of quality preschool, with even more pronounced benefits for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This informed the decision to implement a geographic roll-out schedule for the preschool programs, starting with regional and rural areas in 2026 and 2027. The greater Adelaide area will follow in 2028 and metropolitan Adelaide between 2029 and 2030.
Plus, the state’s mixed-sector approach will leverage the capabilities of long day care, early learning centres, and government preschools, ensuring effective delivery of preschool programs. Alongside the demonstration sites, the roll-out to long day care services will commence in 2026, with expressions of interest currently open.
This significant enhancement of early childhood education infrastructure is designed not only to improve educational outcomes but also to strengthen familial connections to preschool programs and associated health and support services. The government’s initiative aims to reduce the number of South Australian children starting school developmentally vulnerable.
The three chosen demonstration sites will serve as the blueprint for the broader implementation of the preschool model across South Australia. By 2032, every three-year-old in the state, regardless of location, is expected to have access to quality, teacher-led preschool programs, ensuring a strong start in their educational journey.
In conclusion, as South Australia embarks on this ambitious educational reform, the insights and data collected from the metropolitan demonstration sites will be instrumental in refining and optimizing the delivery of preschool programs across the state. This proactive approach in early childhood education seeks to provide significant, lasting benefits for all South Australian children and sets a robust foundation for their future educational success.
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