Full-time kindergarten pilot expands to five more WA schools in 2027 

Western Australia’s free, optional full-time kindergarten pilot will expand to five additional public schools in 2027, taking the program to 10 sites across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

The expansion follows strong uptake across the five schools participating in the pilot during 2026 and delivers on the Cook Government’s election commitment to trial full-time kindergarten at 10 Western Australian public schools.

The initiative forms part of a broader $33.8 million State Government investment in early childhood education. 

From the beginning of the 2027 school year, full-time kindergarten will be offered at:

• Bambara Primary School in Padbury
• Comet Bay Primary School in Secret Harbour
• Clifton Park Primary School in Australind
• One Arm Point Remote Community School on the Dampier Peninsula
• Peg’s Creek Primary School in Karratha.

The schools will join the five inaugural pilot sites:

• Banksia Grove Primary School
• Dalyellup Primary School
• Halidon Primary School
• Roleystone Community College
• South Kalgoorlie Primary School.

The WA Government said the program had recorded strong uptake across all five participating schools during its first year. 

The pilot provides children with access to teacher-led, play-based kindergarten five days a week, with each classroom supported by two education assistants.

Participation remains optional, allowing families to determine how many days of kindergarten attendance are appropriate for their child.

The Government said the model would provide children with high-quality early learning opportunities while potentially saving participating families thousands of dollars in childcare costs. 

Premier Roger Cook said the expansion would bring the program to more metropolitan and regional communities while supporting children’s learning and development.

“The pilot is providing children access to quality early education opportunities that support their learning and development, setting them up for success at school and beyond, while also helping more parents and families access an affordable early childhood education option.”

Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton said the pilot was designed to give children more time to learn through play and build confidence, social skills and strong foundations for their future learning.

“The strong response we’ve seen in our first five pilot schools in 2026 has been incredibly encouraging, and I am excited to see five more schools join the program next year.”

Ms Winton said the early years were among the most important periods in a child’s development and that the Government would continue investing in initiatives supporting Western Australian children and families. 

The full-time kindergarten pilot is a key component of the WA Government’s $33.8 million early childhood investment, which also includes development of the WA Play Strategy.

Led by the Office of Early Childhood, the strategy will highlight the role of play in children’s learning and wellbeing across the community, including kindergarten and the early years of school. 

The addition of five new sites will give the Government a broader range of metropolitan, regional and remote settings through which to assess the delivery of free, optional full-time kindergarten and its potential role in Western Australia’s future early childhood system.

Read the Western Australian Government announcement here.