South Australia commences Kindy Care trial with 20 preschools

The state-first trial of after preschool care has started in the first of 20 South Australian government preschools this week.

The trial follows recommendations by the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care led by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and has commenced with ten trial sites, namely: 

• Adams Road Children’s Centre
• Cumberland Preschool Kindergarten
• Gabmididi Manoo Children and Family Centre
• Gawler & District B-12 Children’s Centre
• Gladigau Park Kindergarten
• Loxton Preschool Centre
• Millicent North Kindergarten
• Renmark North Preschool
• Seaview Downs Preschool
• Salisbury Heights Preschool

Kindy Care will help support families who are increasingly needing care for their children outside of the regular preschool hours (typically 9 am – 3 pm).

Many families rely on outside school hours care (OSHC) provision for their school-aged children, but often OSHC services are not set up for preschool-aged children and do not generally accept enrolments for preschoolers. 

The trials will test how different models of a preschool out of hours care could work in preschool settings.

An additional 10 Government preschools will also trial Kindy Care and will be delivered by third-party providers, commencing later this year and then throughout 2025 at: 

• Bridgewater Kindergarten
• Clarence Park Community Kindergarten
• Dernancourt Kindergarten
• Fairview Park Kindergarten
• Glossop Community Preschool
• Lantana Kindergarten
• Magill Kindergarten
• Ocean View College Children’s Centre
• Park Terrace Kindergarten
• Wattle Park Kindergarten

Kindy Care will allow children to maintain continuity, reduce transitions and engage in out of hours care appropriate to their developmental needs. The Kindy Care trials will continue into 2025 and will provide valuable feedback to determine a broader rollout.

The department will also continue to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure eligible families accessing the Kindy Care program receive the Child Care Subsidy from Term 1, 2025.

“This is an exciting reform that will lead the nation,” SA Education Minister Blair Boyer said. 

“The Royal Commission into Early Education and Care highlighted the need for government preschools to provide care options that meet the changing needs of working families, (and we) want to make it easier for families already facing considerable cost of living demands to access affordable quality care for their children.”

Melissa Slater, Director of Cumberland Preschool Kindergarten, welcomed the announcement, saying her service was excited by the opportunities it presents. 

“Kindy Care will provide continuity for children who access both preschool and Kindy Care throughout the day in an environment that’s familiar and developmentally appropriate for them while also allowing our community greater flexibility to access our services,” she said.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting initiative as we know that our families will benefit greatly from the provision of Kindy Care.”