This year, more than 6000 SA kids are starting preschool a year earlier than normal. Here’s how the rollout works, who’s eligible, and why it matters for families.
Got a little one at home right now? Or thinking of having a baby? They might be able to start preschool a whole year earlier than you expected.
South Australia has this year started rolling out universal three-year-old preschool, with more than 6000 children eligible to start in 2026 alone.
It’s part of the state government’s $1.9 billion investment in early childhood through the Flying Start reforms. It supports families, boosts the economy and aims to give every child a chance for a flying start in life.
Who’s eligible this year?
There are two factors at play – a child’s age and where they live.
Age: Children who turn three in late 2025 or 2026 may be eligible, depending on when their local service comes online.
Location: Three-year-old preschool will roll out in stages from 2026, starting with more than 200 long day care services across the state, 45 government preschools in remote and rural areas and three government metro ‘demonstration’ sites.
Services have been chosen based on quality ratings and location, with priority given to areas where children are most likely to benefit.
What it actually looks like
If you’re picturing three-year-olds sitting at desks, think again.
Preschool is a teacher-led, play-based program, focused on developing the skills that will support kids throughout their lives.
“We are a play-based centre and follow the children’s interests,” explains Beck Sampson, Director of Wudinna Kindergarten on the Eyre Peninsula, which has welcomed its first three-year-olds this year for up to 15 hours of preschool each week.
“We focus on developing dispositions as learners – things like collaboration, confidence and curiosity.”
At Wudinna, that means nature play, cubby building, and “Scrub Kindy” – where children head out to a nearby reserve to explore and problem-solve in the great outdoors.
The program for three-year-old preschool across the state will run for 6-15 hours per week initially, building to 15 hours per week (600 hours annually) by 2032 as more staff and facilities come online.
Why two years of preschool matters
The timing isn’t random. With 90 per cent of brain development happening before age five, starting quality early learning at three instead of four can make a real difference.
Right now, nearly one in four SA children start school developmentally vulnerable – needing help with things like speech, confidence, or social skills. Research shows two years of quality preschool can help change that trajectory.
“Getting to know kids earlier and supporting them over two years instead of one – it’s a real benefit,” Beck says.
She’s particularly excited about the leadership opportunities: “The older children can model how we do things through kindness, teamwork and play.”
The benefits
Stronger starts lead to stronger communities. When children and families are well supported from the beginning, the benefits ripple out across neighbourhoods and generations.
Supporting parents: “For some parents, it’s an opportunity to be able to go back to work, volunteer or study,” Beck says.
Supporting families: It’s about backing families. It’s about recognising the care, love and teaching that already happens at home, and providing an extra layer of support at a crucial stage in a child’s life.
Supporting children: Three-year-old preschool is about equity. It will no longer be a matter of luck – no matter where they live, no matter their circumstances, all SA kids will have access to the quality early childhood education they deserve.
Especially valuable for rural families
In small communities like Wudinna (population around 600), the social benefits are huge.
Last year, Beck looked after about ten four-year-old preschoolers, many travelling in from surrounding farms. Adding three-year-olds will create more play opportunities and help children build social skills earlier.
“We’re rural and fairly remote, so that opportunity for children to have social opportunities, to meet other kids – it’s really valuable for our community,” she says.
Is it compulsory?
No. Three-year-old preschool is completely optional.
“We’re making it clear to parents that it’s a choice,” Beck says. “If you don’t feel your child is ready, you don’t have to use the program. It’s there if you’re interested.”
Staff are trained to support children with separation anxiety and will work with families to find the right approach for each child.
How to check if your child can start
Use the service finder: Use the preschool finder tool to see which services near you are offering three-year-old preschool from this year.
Check the map: The rollout of three-year-old preschool in government and other sessional services is taking place by regions. Find out if it’s coming to your area here.
Plan for the future: If your local service isn’t starting in 2026, you can find out when three-year-old preschool is coming to government and other sessional services in your region here.
What happens next?
The roll-out expands each year, with more services joining annually until universal access is achieved by 2032.
By then, every eligible three-year-old in South Australia will have access to 15 hours per week of teacher-led, play-based learning.
Beck says it’s an exciting step, and preschools like Wudinna will offer families a place where “their children will be safe and well cared for in a stimulating environment with qualified teachers who are focused on building children’s curiosity and confidence.”
For more information about three-year-old preschool eligibility and to find services in your area, click here.
