WA launches full-time Kindergarten pilot as record student numbers return to school

Western Australia has marked the start of the 2026 school year with a major step forward in early childhood education, the launch of the Cook Government’s free Full-time Kindergarten Pilot across five public schools.

The pilot, announced as part of the WA Government’s broader early childhood investment agenda, will see selected metropolitan and regional schools deliver five days per week of play-based, developmentally appropriate Kindergarten to eligible children. Participation is voluntary, with schools working closely with families to ensure flexible and appropriate access.

Premier Roger Cook and Education Minister Sabine Winton officially launched the program at Roleystone Community College this week, welcoming some of the 23,490 Kindergarten students expected to commence across Western Australian schools in Term 1.

The $33.8 million pilot aims to improve early learning outcomes, support school readiness and reduce out-of-pocket care costs for families. Pilot sites include:

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

The initiative will be expanded in 2027, delivering on the WA Government’s election commitment to pilot full-time Kindergarten in ten public schools. While the pilot currently includes five schools, the model may inform future system-wide decisions on Kindergarten access and delivery.

“Full-time Kindergarten will give more children access to the high-quality early learning experiences that set them up for success throughout their lives,” said Premier Roger Cook.

“It’s another example of how my government is investing in education and early childhood development, and doing what’s right for Western Australian families.”

The pilot aligns with the WA Government’s broader early childhood strategy, including the development of the WA Play Strategy, which will be led by the Office of Early Childhood. The strategy aims to elevate the role of play in children’s learning, development and wellbeing, from the early years through to school entry.

The pilot also complements existing workforce development efforts, including fee-free TAFE courses in early childhood education and care to build capacity and support new entrants into the sector.

“Quality early childhood education helps children build confidence, resilience and curiosity,” said Education Minister Sabine Winton. “It also supports important foundations like language development and social and emotional skills.”

The pilot was launched alongside other major milestones for Western Australian public education, including:

• A record 508,990 students starting Term 1 across public and non-government schools
• The opening of two new primary schools – Sunrise Primary School (Wellard) and Wungong Primary School (Hilbert)
• A 3.3 per cent increase in the number of registered teachers, with 2,000 more teachers than the same time last year
• The appointment of more than 950 first-year graduate teachers
• Continued international teacher recruitment efforts, with 359 teachers recruited since January 2023

The Full-time Kindergarten Pilot marks a bold new chapter in Western Australia’s approach to early learning, bringing together play-based pedagogy, system investment and family support to strengthen foundations in the early years.

More information on WA’s early childhood initiatives is available at: www.wa.gov.au