Big changes are on the way for South Australian families, with the State Government unveiling four new integrated preschool hubs and fast-tracking the rollout of universal three-year-old preschool. Backed by more than $30 million in the latest State Budget, the initiative is designed to give children the best start in life and give parents a little breathing room too.
The new hubs include a purpose-built facility at Goodstart Early Learning Centre in Elizabeth Vale, along with upgrades to Department for Education Children’s Centres at Hackham West, Lake Windemere and The Parks. Elizabeth Vale will be among the first to open, welcoming families from Term 4 this year.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said it’s about reducing the number of children starting school developmentally vulnerable, and that begins with strong early learning.
The Elizabeth Vale hub comes with a $1.45 million investment, including $500,000 from the state government. The remainder is jointly funded by Goodstart Early Learning and The Benevolent Society, who are working together to deliver a flexible outdoor area and new family-friendly spaces.
Minister for Education Blair Boyer said the benefits of early education are too important to delay.
“This is the biggest change we’ve seen in early childhood education in decades,” Boyer said.
“Preschool from three means more time to build confidence, develop friendships and get ready for school, especially for kids who might need extra support early on.”
Each hub will offer up to 30 hours a week of preschool for three and four-year-olds, with access to health and wellbeing services in one place. It’s part of a broader $127 million plan to build 20 integrated hubs across the state by 2032.
And it’s not just about hubs. The budget also includes $27.7 million to accelerate the rollout of three-year-old preschool in long day care centres, following strong interest from providers. From 2026, more than 2,000 extra places will be available a full year earlier than originally planned.
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the investment is a smart one for families and for the future of the state.
“The early years set the tone for a child’s life. If we want to close gaps and reduce disadvantage, this is where it starts. These new measures will give families better access to quality care and more flexibility to juggle work and parenting.”
To top it off, the government is also committing an additional $3 million to continue its Kindy Care trials into 2026, delivering out of school hours care specifically for preschoolers. It’s welcome news for working families who often struggle with the gap between preschool hours and their own schedules.
“Kindy Care is about making life easier for parents and more consistent for kids,” Boyer said.
“It’s the sort of change that keeps kids settled, gives families peace of mind and helps make our early learning system more flexible for modern life.”
With more than 6,000 three-year-olds expected to enrol in the first year alone, this rollout is shaping up as one of the most significant education reforms in South Australia’s history. It’s all part of a $1.9 billion investment in the state’s youngest learners over the next nine years.
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