Best Start, Best Life: Transforming early childhood education together

The department proudly acknowledges Victoria’s Aboriginal communities and their rich culture and pays respect to their Elders past and present.

We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely.

We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of Aboriginal people and communities to Victorian life and how this enriches us.

We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards the equality of outcomes and ensuring an equal voice.

Children start learning from the moment they’re born, and what they learn and experience in their first 5 years can shape the rest of their lives.

The growing evidence about the importance of the early years shows how critical it is we get it right. Parents and early childhood education professionals have long understood that the kindergarten years are a great opportunity for high quality, affordable and accessible early learning to set children up to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. And families have told us that better access to childcare will support more parents, particularly women, to make choices based on what works for their children and families rather than being limited by the options available to them.

A whole of government focus on child development and wellbeing is essential to support children and families. It’s one of the Victorian Government’s major policy priorities. Providing early childhood education is not only one of the most powerful things we can do for Victorian kids - it also benefits families, communities, and the economy.

That’s why the Victorian Government is investing $14 billion in the Best Start, Best Life reforms over the next decade, in what will be the greatest transformation of early childhood education in a generation.

We’ve been listening to families, our workforce, services, local governments, and peak bodies as we embark on this reform.

The launch of Free Kinder this year is already supporting up to 140,000 children and families. Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is now available for up to 15 hours across the state, giving Victorian children access to two years of kindergarten before school. This rollout will continue between now and 2029, when all Three-Year-Old Kindergarten programs will reach 15 hours.

From 2025, Pre-Prep starts to roll out in stages, and by 2032 will provide 4-year-olds across Victoria with 30 hours of quality, play-based learning. The first of the 50 government-operated childcare centres will also open in 2025 in areas with the greatest need.

The difference these reforms will make to Victoria is profound. Our children and families will be better off, and our state will be stronger and fairer.

We know that what we are doing here in Victoria is being considered closely across the nation. Our hope is that we can reach a new national consensus on the importance of early learning, to benefit Australian kids.

Hon Jacinta Allan MP
Premier of Victoria

The Best Start, Best Life reforms are critically important for children.

The evidence behind the reforms is clear—2 years of quality early childhood education and expanded hours in the year before school can improve children’s life outcomes.

For all children, accessing quality early childhood education is an irreplaceable opportunity to help them thrive while they are young and develop the skills they need to succeed later in school and life. This is true for all children and especially those needing additional support.

We are committed to working with the sector as we embark on this ten-year journey, which is why we have consulted with early childhood education professionals, unions, early childhood experts, service providers, local governments and parents and carers about how best to deliver the reforms. The reforms will be stronger because of the many voices we have heard and learnt from, and the many partners working together to make them a reality.

We heard strong endorsement of our vision for high quality education that supports all children to thrive.

We also heard that by making it easier for parents to work or study, the reforms will support families' financial security and women's financial independence, which will in turn benefit children.

There is a shared desire to make it easier for all families and children to access and meaningfully participate in kindergarten programs. We are committed to working with Aboriginal stakeholders and communities to advance self-determination in the implementation of the reforms. We are prioritising the inclusion of children with additional needs in the design of the reforms, and supporting families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to engage in early childhood education.

As well as providing benefits for families and children, the reforms are highlighting the enormous capability of our teachers and educators. I want to thank Victoria’s existing early childhood workforce for their skill and professionalism, and warmly welcome the new teachers and educators joining the sector.

I look forward to continuing to work together as we deliver the best possible outcomes for Victorian children.

Hon Lizzie Blandthorn MP
Minister for Children

Victoria is the first Australian state or territory to give children universal access to 2 years of funded kindergarten programs before they start school. The $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms include:

• Free Kinder: Free Kinder is now available for Victorian 3- and 4-year-old children at participating standalone kindergartens and long day care centres – a saving of up to $2,500 per child, every year.
• Pre-Prep: over the next decade, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will transition to ‘Pre-Prep’ - increasing to a universal 30-hour a week program of play-based learning for 4-year-old children in Victoria by 2032.
• Early Learning and Childcare Centres: the establishment of 50 Victorian government-owned and operated Early Learning and Childcare Centres. These centres will be built in areas with the greatest need and will make it easier for families to access childcare and kindergarten places. The first of the centres will be available in 2025.
• Three-Year-Old Kindergarten: the continued roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, with programs across the state increasing to 15 hours per week by 2029.

We are starting from a strong base

The Victorian Government actively supports quality kindergarten in the 2 years before school, in partnership with local government, providers, the workforce and other stakeholders. There has never been more funding available for the kindergarten sector in Victoria - for workforce, service delivery and infrastructure.

Funded kindergarten programs improve learning and development outcomes for Victorian children, provide savings for families, and help parents to make choices about work and study that are best for them and their family.

Depending on their family’s needs, children can attend funded kindergarten programs in either long day care, or sessional or 'standalone' kindergarten services. These programs are led by a qualified teacher and comply with government guidelines and the National Quality Framework, and can be identified by the Kinder Tick.

Families can visit the Find a Kinder website or contact their local council to find a service near them.

No matter where a child attends a kindergarten program, they’ll be learning through play with qualified early childhood teachers and educators, which is the best way to help young children learn, develop and prepare to thrive at school and beyond.

Our investment

We have already made significant progress in delivering the Best Start, Best Life reforms with a total investment to date of $6.2 billion. This includes:

• $1.6 billion to roll out Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and increase capacity by building new kindergarten facilities.
• $1.4 billion for Free Kinder to give Victorian parents—especially mums—the choice to return to work if they want to and provide savings to families each year, up to $2,500 in 2023.
• $1.3 billion to build around 100 new kindergartens, with the majority to be located at or nearby government schools to help avoid the double drop off.
• $921 million to deliver 35 new government-owned and operated Early Learning and Childcare Centres by 2027
• $303 million for around 35 new early learning facilities at low-fee non-government schools, and to expand early learning facilities on local government sites.
• $48 million to support existing kinders and toy libraries to purchase equipment, provide additional Bush Kinder programs, and continue existing and create 10 new bilingual kindergartens.
• $6 million for Aboriginal cultural safety and inclusion.
• $18 million to strengthen and modernise existing inclusion support for children with disability and additional needs.
• $10 million for local governments and eligible providers to improve local kindergarten facilities.

Our reform approach

There are enough kinder places now for children across Victoria to receive a funded place in the 2 years before school, but many more will need to be created as participation, program hours and population increase.

That’s why the reforms are rolling out over a decade – this will allow time for hundreds of new services to be built or expanded, thousands more teachers and educators to enter the workforce, and thousands of existing services to adapt their programs.

Existing services will continue to be an important part of the Victorian kindergarten system – including single room and other sessional services, and integrated long day care kindergarten programs.

Over time, existing and new services will generally enrol fewer children for more funded hours. To make this possible, by 2032, they will be joined by many new and expanded services across the state.

During the rollout period, there will be a flexible approach to the number of hours offered by services. This allows services to grow at a pace that suits them and their community. Services will prioritise offering a child a place over receiving more hours, if a choice between these options needs to be made.

Our achievements

Meeting the needs of children, families and communities

• In 2023, Free Kinder is available at 97% of services and has benefitted approximately 140,000 families; and 5 to 15 hours per week of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is available across Victoria
• Families in participating long day care services save up to $2,000 per year on their kinder program - as much as a family who were paying an average fee in a sessional service.
• Increased participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, working in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association (VAEAI).
• 22 CALD Outreach workers supported increased enrolments from culturally and linguistically diverse families, including children from refugee or asylum seeker background.
• Find a Kinder Program website, the Kinder Tick and central enrolment schemes made it easier for families to find a kinder place in a sessional or long day care service.
• Kinder Kits given to children enrolled in Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in 2022 and 2023.
• Support for children experiencing vulnerability through the LOOKOUT program, the Early Childhood Agreement for Children in Out of Home Care, and the Early Years Compact.

Valuing and growing our workforce

• 50% increase in workforce since 2019.
• More than 4,00 teaching scholarships awarded.
• Incentives of $9,000-50,000 to recruit staff to priority locations.
• 200 traineeships supported, in partnership with Jobs Victoria and Chisholm Institute.
• Approximately 1,000 teachers benefited from coaching and support.

Supporting the sector through change

• Pre-Prep rollout schedule released.
• Pre-Prep starts in the first 6 Local Government Areas from 2025.
• The average sessional service receives 30-40% more funding from Free Kinder compared to parent fees in 2022.
• 65 Early Years Networks each term.
• 34 Leadership Forums each year.
• 17 Early Childhood Improvement Branches giving services direct support from the Department of Education.
• Supporting Three-Year-Old Kindergarten roll-out with tools and resources, in partnership with peak bodies.

Making spaces for learning

• $2.7 billion funding allocated for infrastructure.
• 400 new services opened and another 50 services expanded since 2019.
• 11 Building Blocks Partnerships agreed with local governments, delivering an additional 5,185 licensed places by 2029.
• 119 kindergarten infrastructure projects complete and 168 underway.
• 5,200 additional licensed places created and 10,000 more on the way.
• 29 kindergartens on school sites delivered, with another 28 announced.
• Kindergarten Infrastructure Services Plans (KISPs) developed in partnership with all 79 local governments.

As a result of these reforms, Victorian children will have access to 2 years of quality play-based learning programs designed and led by teachers and educators, guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. In 2019, most Victorian children had access to 600 hours of funded kindergarten in the year before school. In 2032, all Victorian children will have access to 1,800 hours of funded kindergarten before school, comprising 600 hours of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and 1,200 hours of Pre-Prep.

Starting a quality kindergarten program at an earlier age leads to positive effects on child development. Kindergarten is a safe place for children to build skills, independence and concentration while forming positive relationships and making friends.

Providing a longer program in the year before school gives more time for children of all backgrounds and abilities to deepen their learning and development, and for services to deepen their relationships with families. Along with the introduction of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, Pre-Prep also provides a greater opportunity for different types of early years services to work together to address the needs of all children.

A 2-year early learning program, including more hours in the year before school, is supported by evidence from Australia and around the world:

• The early years are critical for establishing self- esteem, resilience, healthy growth and capacity to learn - what a child experiences between the ages of 3 and 5 can make a big difference to their future.¹
• Children who need extra support benefit the most from spending more time at kindergarten as it provides more time to participate in rich learning experiences that contribute to positive developmental trajectories.²
• Children who attend kindergarten for two years have better development in language, pre-reading, early number concepts, independence, concentration, and social skills when starting school.³
• 15 year-olds who attend a quality play-based early learning program in the year before school tend to perform better than those who do not in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).⁴
• A 30-hour per week program of play-based, teacher- led early learning increases children’s early literacy and numeracy, as well as self-regulation skills.⁵
• Low or no cost 30-hour per week play-based early learning programs lead to positive outcomes in self-regulation, social-emotional skills, literacy and numeracy and are linked to smaller gaps in learning and development due to socio-economic background.⁶

Through play, children engage with the people, places and objects around them to build an understanding of their world. Positive attitudes towards learning, such as persistence, curiosity, and imagination, are all developed during play, setting children up for a life-long love of learning.

In early learning environments, qualified teachers and educators design and set up purposeful play-based programs that provide children with opportunities to explore, experiment, question and discover new concepts about the world in playful ways. Teachers and educators play and explore together with children, extending their learning through warm and engaging interactions.

Children learn through play in many ways:

• Physical play such as building with blocks and climbing helps children build confidence and patience as they develop problem-solving skills, core strength, perseverance, resilience and gross and fine motor skills.
• Dramatic play such as role playing or dressing up provides opportunities for children to develop emotional regulation, social skills and expressive language as they negotiate and co-create narratives with other children.
• Sensory play with materials such as sand and water encourages children to experiment with texture, matter and form, and develops their understanding of concepts such as weight, volume and gravity.
• Nature/outdoor play helps children feel safe, strong and connected to the natural world, developing empathy and extending their vocabulary as they look to the world beyond themselves, while also exploring concepts such as quantity, growth, and changes in matter.
• Creative play such as art, music and dance allows children to express themselves and respond to the world around them, while also developing imagination, communication skills, planning and fine motor skills as they use different methods of expressing their thoughts and ideas.

We heard that the Best Start, Best Life reforms will be most successful if they are delivered through ongoing collaborative and trusting partnerships between government, the early childhood education sector, teachers, educators, and families.

We are committed to working together with all our partners to steward the delivery of the reforms by:

• continuing to work in partnership with the Best Start, Best Life Taskforce Advisory Group, which is chaired by the Minister for Children and includes senior representatives of stakeholder groups
• conducting further targeted consultation with the sector at key stages of the rollout
• providing information about policy and operational settings to the sector and families in relevant rollout areas in a timely manner
• monitoring implementation of the reforms and adjusting and adapting as needed.

Further information

Information for early childhood education professionals

• For information to support children's learning and development, access policy and funding advice, and recruitment and career support visit Early childhood education: Information for professionals.

Information for parents and carers

• Information on Free Kinder, the Pre-Prep roll-out, Kinder Kits, and translated information, refer to kinder.
• Find a kindergarten in your area using Find a kinder program.
• Please contact services or local councils directly to enquire about enrolment and register your interest.
• The Three-Year-Old Kindergarten Enquiry Line is available Mon to Fri between, 9 am to 5 pm on 1800 338 663 if you are experiencing difficulties accessing a kindergarten program enrolment for your child. Email: 3YO.kindergarten@education.vic.gov.au

References

1. Raver, C., Knitzer, J. (2002). Ready to Enter: What Research Tells Policymakers About Strategies to Promote Social and Emotional School Readiness Among Three- and Four-Year- Old Children. Columbia University Libraries.
2. Fox, S., & Geddes, M. (2016). Preschool – Two years are better than one: Developing a preschool program for Australian 3-year-olds – evidence, policy and implementation. Mitchell Institute Policy Paper No. 03/2016. Melbourne, Victoria: Mitchell Institute.
3. Sammons, Pam & Sylva, Kathy & Melhuish, Edward & Siraj, Iram & Taggart, Brenda & Smees, Rebecca & Toth, Katalin & Welcomme, Wesley. (2014). Effective Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education (EPPSE 3 – 16+) Project Influences on students' dispositions and well-being in Key Stage 4 at age 16. London: Institute of Education.
4. OECD. (2015) Starting Strong IV: Early Childhood Education and Care Data Country Note. Finland.
5. Pelletier and Corter (2019). ‘A longitudinal comparison of learning outcomes in full-day and half-day kindergarten’. The Journal of Educational Research: Vol 112, No 2.
6. OECD (2020). Early Learning and Child Well-being in Estonia(opens in a new window), OECD Publishing, Paris.