Starting in 2025, Victoria will roll out an exciting new program called Pre-Prep. This initiative aims to transform the current Four-Year-Old Kindergarten into a universal, play-based learning program available to every four-year-old child in the state. In this blog post, we’ll answer all your questions about Pre-Prep, including its purpose, benefits, roll-out schedule, and more. Pre-Prep is a new program that will transition the current Four-Year-Old Kindergarten to a universal, 30-hour-a-week program of play-based learning available to every four-year-old child in Victoria. The main purpose of Pre-Prep is to improve children’s learning and development outcomes, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and to support parents, especially women, in returning to work. Pre-Prep will offer 30 hours per week of play-based learning, whereas the current Four-Year-Old Kindergarten offers fewer hours. Pre-Prep aims to provide more comprehensive and accessible early childhood education. Pre-Prep will be rolled out in stages from 2025 to 2032. It will start in selected regional areas and gradually expand to include all of Victoria. In 2025, Pre-Prep will commence in Ararat Rural City, Gannawarra Shire, Hindmarsh Shire, Murrindindi Shire, Northern Grampians Shire, and Yarriambiack Shire. Pre-Prep will be available in metropolitan Melbourne starting in 2030. By 2032, all Victorian children will have access to 30 hours of Pre-Prep per week. Regional areas tend to have more available infrastructure capacity and often have higher levels of disadvantage and vulnerability. Rolling out Pre-Prep in these areas first ensures that children who need it most get access to early learning programs sooner. LGAs are selected based on their available infrastructure capacity and the level of need among children in those areas. Regions with higher levels of disadvantage and vulnerability are prioritized. Vulnerable and disadvantaged children, as well as Aboriginal children, will get priority for early access to Pre-Prep. Vulnerable and Aboriginal children will be eligible for Pre-Prep from 2026, and disadvantaged children will be eligible from 2028. These children will be prioritized for access to between 15 to 30 hours of Pre-Prep earlier than the general population.Vulnerable children include those from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds, children whose families have had contact with Child Protection services, and children from families with a Commonwealth concession card. Disadvantaged children also include those who are part of a multiple birth (triplets or more). The decade-long timeline allows time to grow the necessary workforce, develop required infrastructure, and ensure meaningful consultation and effective implementation at each stage. The Victorian Government will invest an extra $160 million in the kindergarten and Pre-Prep workforce over the next four years, including scholarships, employment incentives, and recruitment support to attract and retain early childhood teachers and educators. Significant infrastructure investment, including $705 million to build and expand kindergartens on government school sites and $250 million for kindergartens at Catholic and independent schools, will help ensure there is enough space to deliver 30-hour Pre-Prep programs. Research shows that quality play-based learning lays the foundation for success throughout a child’s education and life. Increasing program hours to 30 hours per week provides greater access to these benefits, especially for disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Play-based learning improves learning and social outcomes, helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and supports their overall development. Long-term outcomes include improved educational attainment, better social skills, and higher chances of success in later stages of education and life. The government is providing $370 million in total to support the early childhood workforce, including scholarships, employment incentives, and recruitment support. The Victorian Government has committed over $9 billion for the early childhood sector reform, including significant investments in workforce development and infrastructure. Incentives include scholarships, employment bonuses, and additional professional support for teachers and educators moving to or re-joining the Victorian early childhood sector. Pre-Prep will be delivered through existing early childhood settings, including sessional kindergartens and long day care centres. Services in roll-out areas may offer between 16-30 hours per week of play-based learning. Vulnerable and Aboriginal children will be eligible for 16-30 hours per week from 2026, disadvantaged children from 2028, and all children across the state will access 30 hours per week by 2032. The Department of Education will provide information to parents through various channels, including direct communication, community outreach, and informational resources. Resources will include informational brochures, online materials, community workshops, and consultations with early childhood educators. The community will be engaged through consultations, feedback mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with local governments, service providers, and schools. Success will be measured through ongoing evaluation of children’s learning and development outcomes, feedback from parents and educators, and monitoring of program implementation. Quality will be ensured through adherence to early childhood education standards, continuous professional development for educators, and regular assessments of program delivery. Feedback will be collected through surveys, community consultations, and direct communication with parents and educators, and will be used to make adjustments and improvements to the program as needed. Are you looking for childcare in Avondale Heights? Look no further—Little Stars Early Education Centre is the perfect choice. Our loving and attentive staff care deeply about your child’s happiness, providing a sparkling clean and safe environment where they can thrive. We embrace inclusive practices that respect cultural needs and dietary preferences, ensuring every child feels valued. With open and responsive communication, you will always be informed and involved in your child’s progress. Our dedicated leadership guarantees reliability and consistency, making Little Stars a place where your child can grow and flourish. Join us and see the difference!
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