The South Australian Government will begin building the workforce required to deliver three-year-old preschool, following the release of the full response to the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

The state government has set a 20-year goal to reduce the rate of South Australian children who are developmentally vulnerable when they start school – from 23.8 per cent to 15 per cent – and says delivering universal three-year-old preschool is key to achieving this.

To help deliver this reform - which will start to be rolled out in 2026 and be completed by 2032 - $56 million will be invested to develop and support the early childhood education and care workforce.

A large part of the investment will be allocated to scholarships to grow the workforce. It is envisioned that the funding boost will also see many early childhood workers upskill to become early childhood teachers.

The task of building the early childhood workforce will require collaboration with universities, TAFE and other vocational education and training providers.

To lead this work, Kim Little has been appointed as the Chief Executive of the newly created Office for Early Childhood Development. Ms Little is a national expert in early childhood, having led the introduction of three-year-old preschool in Victoria. 

The government will reform across eight areas to increase the availability and quality of early childhood services and supports. Some of these reforms include:

Investing in Aboriginal children

• From 2024, three-year-old Aboriginal children, as well as children in care, at government-operated preschools will be offered 15 hours of preschool, up from 12 hours.
• Working with Aboriginal communities to co-design and deliver a range of strategies so Aboriginal children receive increased benefits from three-year-old preschool.

Improving out of school hours care (OSHC)

• Improving access to government OSHC, including for students with disabilities and complex needs.
• Modernising OSHC qualification requirements.

Increasing workforce participation is part of these reforms, with three-year-old preschool and more families having access to OSHC aimed at ensuring more parents are able to work.