$1.9 billion
Investment in early childhood services
2024-25 marked the formal establishment of the Office for Early Childhood Development
and a record $1.9 billion investment to 2032 to deliver universal 3-year-old preschool
and broader early years reform. Additional funding in this budget will accelerate the roll out
of these reforms and increase early childhood enrolment capacity in areas of high demand.
EXTENDING THE LOW INTEREST SCHOOL LOANS SCHEME TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE PROVIDERS
$178 million to support infrastructure projects that will increase enrolment capacity. The next round of the scheme is now open for loans of up to $10 million.
ACCELERATING 3-YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOL COMMISSIONING IN LONG DAY CARE
$27.7 million over four years to accelerate the roll out of 3-year-old preschool in a long day care setting. This reform will now commence from January 2026 at over 200 long day care sites and 45 Department for Education sites across South Australia. Approximately 75 per cent of these services are in metropolitan Adelaide and 25 per cent are in regional South Australia.
This funding will provide over 2 000 additional places from 2026 and bring forward the long day care roll out by 12 months.
KINDY CARE TRIALS
$3 million over two years for the continuation of current preschool out of school hours care (Kindy Care) trials operating at up to 20 sites across South Australia.
3-YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOL ROLL OUT
Over the past 12 months, strong foundations have been laid to support long-term, system-wide change and stronger outcomes for South Australia’s children.