West Coast of Tasmania to trial early learning for three year olds

Tasmania’s Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Roger Jaensch has announced that the West Coast of Tasmania will be one of the first regions in the state to trial the Early Learning for Three Year Olds initiative. 

“We know there is strong demand on the West Coast for these services and this pilot site will be a reflection of the needs of the community,” Minister Jaensch said.

“Earlier this year, a series of workshops were held across Tasmania to understand what communities want early learning services to look like. More than 340 people had their say on early learning in their communities during the consultation period, showing how much this service is valued by Tasmanians.”

Minister Jaensch outlined that the Government will work in partnership with families, community members, Early Childhood Education and Care providers and other key early years services to establish the trial sites and tailor each one to community needs.

Workshops for parents, community members and early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers will commence in August as a first step in designing the trial sites for Early Learning for Three Year Olds initiative.

West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt welcomed the announcement saying there is a shortage of services for children in the early years on the West Coast, “and I know how much this service will mean to the community.” 

Further community engagement and research will also begin across Hobart and Launceston to better understand the support and action needed for future expansion of Early Learning for Three Year Olds initiative in these areas.

The Early Learning for Three Year Olds initiative complements the Working Together program which provides eligible children experiencing vulnerability with access to government subsidised places at ECEC services.