Preschool Boost
Preschool Boost is a universal funding stream provided to all Flying Start partner services, so they can do more to address developmental vulnerability.
Preschool Boost aims to improve outcomes for 3- and 4-year-old children through providing funding to purchase evidence-informed programs and supports from the Preschool Boost menu.
All partner services are required to meet the Acting early, with others partnership obligations by planning how you will use your Preschool Boost funding to address developmental vulnerabilities identified within your community.
This planning must be set out in your Flying Start Partnership Plan.
About the program
Preschool Boost funding must be used primarily to purchase programs and supports from the Preschool Boost menu.
The funding must be used on programs and supports that:
- support groups of children
- enhance the capability of services, educators and parents
- address developmental vulnerability
- align with AEDC domains.
Preschool Boost funding cannot be used for
- individual child assessments or therpay
- administration, backfill, or off-menu purchases beyond spending limits
- resources or training not aligned to AEDC domains or outside the approved menu (unless specified)
- any items not approved in the Flying Start Partnership Plan.
Refer to the 2027 Policy and Funding Guide for more detail.
Using the menu
More than 200 programs and services are currently on the Preschool Boost menu, delivering across South Australia.
You can filter the online menu by:
- Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) domain
- support category
- service type
- allied health discipline
- delivery region location
- delivery mode
- support category
- cost
You can also print a hard-copy version of the menu and a high-level summary of the programs available.
Preschool Boost Menu Catalogue (PDF)
Off-menu spending process
Most needs can be met with the programs and supports available via the Preschool Boost menu. If a suitable option is not available in your region, is at capacity or isn't affordable, you can use up to 20% of your Preschool Boost funding for off-menu items.
You can also use this funding to:
- top up hours for existing part-time allied health professionals employed by your service
- purchase programs that are locally innovative or part of site-based research projects contributing to the evidence-base for inclusion on the Preschool Boost menu.
The funding may also be used for exceptional circumstances where a written request has been made and authorised in writing by the OECD.
Make sure to speak with your Local Team before starting the process.