Give Your Child a Flying Start with 3-Year-Old Preschool in South Australia 

From 2026, South Australia will begin rolling out a landmark reform in early childhood education, teacher-led, play-based preschool for 3-year-olds. Known as Flying Start for Kids, this initiative is designed to help children build confidence, curiosity and essential learning skills well before they start school. 

Backed by the South Australian Government and informed by recommendations from the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the program represents a significant investment in children, families and the early learning workforce. 

Why 3-Year-Old Preschool Matters 

Research consistently shows that the early years are critical to a child’s development. In South Australia, around 23.8% of children are currently considered developmentally vulnerable when they begin school. The introduction of universal 3-year-old preschool aims to reduce this figure to 15% over the next 20 years, giving more children the best possible start. 

The program focuses on high-quality, teacher-led learning that supports children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development, all through play, which is how young children learn best. 

What Is 3-Year-Old Preschool? 

3-year-old preschool is a play-based early learning program led by a qualified early childhood teacher, supported by early childhood educators. Each day is designed to be engaging, nurturing and developmentally appropriate. 

A typical preschool day may include: 

• Purposeful play that builds social skills, curiosity and confidence 

• Child-led exploration to support communication and learning 

• A safe, inclusive environment that fosters emotional resilience 

• Outdoor play to promote health and wellbeing 

• Celebration of Aboriginal and other cultures 

The goal is to help children arrive at school feeling confident, capable and ready to learn. 

When Will 3-Year-Old Preschool Be Available? 

The rollout of 3-year-old preschool will take place in stages from 2026 to 2032. 

• From 2026:
  The program will begin in regional and remote areas, as well as partnering long day care services across the state. Aboriginal children and children in care will continue to have access to preschool from age three. 

• From 2032:
  Universal access to 3-year-old preschool will be available for all families across South Australia. 

Most children will be offered 15 hours per week (600 hours per year), with flexibility during the rollout period. For children who need additional support, up to 30 hours per week may be available. 

Cost and Subsidies 

Fees will be set by individual providers. Families accessing 3-year-old preschool through partnering long day care services may be eligible for the Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy (CCS), helping to reduce out-of-pocket costs. 

Extra Support for Children and Services 

To ensure the success of the program, the government is investing heavily in both services and the early childhood workforce. Supports include: 

• Preschool Boost funding, allowing services to better meet the needs of children and families, including access to therapies such as speech or occupational therapy 

• Paid professional development and backfill support for teachers and educators 

• Quality uplift support for services needing assistance to meet National Quality Standards 

• A Preschool Toolkit with teaching and learning resources for all centre-based services 

• Over $100 million invested in workforce development, including leadership pathways 

• $40 million in infrastructure funding to support new and expanded early learning facilities 

Integrated Children’s Hubs 

As part of the reform, 20 integrated hubs will be established across South Australia. These hubs bring together preschool, health, wellbeing and education services in one location, making it easier for families to access the support they need. 

The first hub will open at Port Pirie West Children’s Centre by Term 4, 2025, with additional hubs planned from 2027

How to Find a Service 

Families can use the Flying Start Service Finder or starting-preschool calculators to check when services in their area will begin offering 3-year-old preschool and to estimate their child’s potential start date. 

A Stronger Start for South Australian Children 

Flying Start for Kids represents a long-term commitment to improving outcomes for children and families across South Australia. By investing in early learning, qualified educators and wrap-around support, the program aims to ensure every child has the opportunity to start school, and life, with confidence. 

As the rollout begins, families are encouraged to stay informed, explore local services and take advantage of the supports available to give their child a truly flying start. 

This reform will also have a significant impact on early learning services and educators, with increased demand for qualified early childhood teachers, workforce planning support and flexible staffing solutions as the rollout progresses. Entrée Early Years works closely with centres across South Australia to support recruitment, workforce transitions and compliance needs, helping services prepare for change while maintaining high-quality care and education.

Reference

https://www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/