SA inks Preschool Reform Agreement to get $113m in Commonwealth subsidies

SA has signed up for federal funding to support kids at preschool, although conditions on the deal are yet to be finalised.

Funding to subsidise preschool in South Australia has been locked in for the next four years.

The federal government has agreed to provide up to $113m in a reform package aimed at offering all SA families 15 hours a week of preschool for children in the year before they start school.

The deal, worth $1340 a child in 2022, replaces but does not substantially increase existing funding arrangements between the state and federal government which were due to expire.

It adds new conditions and undertakings, which are yet to be finalised.

“This funding is linked to new reforms, including improving preschool participation and developing an outcomes measure,” federal acting Education and Youth Minister Stuart Robert said of the agreement being announced on Monday.

“It will benefit all children, regardless of the type of preschool they attend.”

State Education Minister John Gardner said signing the 2022-25 agreement gave certainty to families, preschool workers and providers.

“Every child deserves a world-class education and this agreement means all SA children will continue to have access to 600 hours of quality preschool,” Mr Gardner said.

“It maintains Commonwealth funding to the sector and, importantly, will ensure all SA children and their families are supported during these significant years.”

Mr Gardner said the Commonwealth had given an undertaking to explore federal policy and legislation “to support the provision of wraparound childcare at preschool sites in SA, thereby better meeting the needs of working families”.

SA Education Minister John Gardner.

Federal Acting Education and Youth Minister Stuart Robert.

SA joins NSW and Victoria in signing the Preschool Reform Agreement.

It replaces the Universal Access National Partnership funding which was introduced in 2009, under which enrolment in preschools increased nationally from 12 per cent of children in 2008 to 96 per cent in 2019.

But while enrolments have been high, participation has been lower with only 72 per cent of enrolled families making full use of their 15 hours a week.

For disadvantaged and vulnerable children, full participation was only 66 per cent and for Aboriginal children only 60 per cent.

Under the agreement, targets on participation will be set from 2024.

To help gauge whether preschool is achieving its aims, an expert advisory group has been established to set benchmark measures.

The group, which includes Adelaide University adjunct professor and Fraser Mustard Centre director Sally Brinkman, will draw up baseline data so the “value-add” of preschool can be assessed for a better understanding of what works.

Outcome measures will be developed in 2022, trialled in 2023 and implemented from 2024.

The agreement comes as the SA Opposition plans to extend availability of preschool to three-year-old children and restore a mid-year school intake.