Preschool for three year olds hits new milestone in South Australia

The roll-out of 3-year-old preschool in South Australia is getting closer, with another major milestone reached through the opening of Expressions of Interest for long day care services to partner with the state government in delivering 3-year-old preschool from 2026.

Eligible long day care services will be able to access funding to support teacher-led preschool delivery to children enrolled in their services.

The roll-out in government and other sessional preschools will start with regional and rural areas in 2026 and 2027, the greater Adelaide area in 2028, and metro Adelaide starting in 2029 and 2030.

The roll-out will leverage the capacity and expertise across the whole early childhood sector and enable thousands of children to access the 3-year-old preschool program from the early stages of the reform.

“Research has shown that two years is better than one when it comes to early learning, because it puts our youngest students on a journey towards successful learning, ensuring they are ready and engaged for school from day one,” SA’s Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer said.

“That’s why it is important to give children access to the quality preschool programs they deserve earlier.”

More than 60 per cent of 3-year-olds in South Australia are already in a long day care program, the Minister explained, meaning that offering preschool in this setting is a logical choice. 

Settings where children are already receiving other early childhood services supports quality, accessibility, and flexibility for families, he added. 

The number of services offering 3-year-old preschool will grow from 2026 as the state builds the workforce and early childhood infrastructure needed to achieve this significant reform. By 2032, every child in South Australia will have access to 15 hours per week of 3-year-old preschool.

Expressions of interest can be submitted via the OECD website until 28 February 2025. Future opportunities to express interest will be available as the roll-out progresses.