Consultation and engagement

Collaborating and engaging with the early childhood sector

The Office for Early Childhood Development partners with early childhood sector stakeholders, service providers, government departments, Aboriginal leaders, unions, families, and the community to create a better and fairer future for children across South Australia.

We recognise we are stronger through partnership, by harnessing diverse perspectives, listening to and learning from experts in the field, and connecting parents, carers and communities with the services and support they need to help their children thrive. That’s why we actively collaborate to create a better way forward.

This page will provide details on upcoming consultations the Office for Early Childhood Development is leading and how you can be involved in shaping South Australia’s early childhood reforms.

Past consultations

In August and September 2024, the Office for Early Childhood Development hosted consultation sessions to share information and gather feedback on the proposed partnership arrangements for the roll-out of universal preschool for 3-year-olds from 2026.

Topics included:

• an overview of the preschool model

• proposed partnership arrangements and service eligibility

• child eligibility

• funding administration

• workforce development.

The feedback from these sessions will help shape the final partnership approach and guide the development of policies and positions as the government prepares to roll-out the new model of preschool.

What happens next?

The preschool policy and funding guide will be published on our website in late 2024. Providers interested in partnering with the government to deliver the new model of 3-year-old preschool will also be able to submit an Expression of Interest.

Please register your interest to be notified when these details become available and subscribe to our OECD Newsletter for general updates on the 3-year-old preschool roll-out.

Have a question?

Learn how you can get your service 3-year-old preschool ready or contact OECD.Engage@sa.gov.au