Preschool Plus Self-Selection Pathway

The Preschool Plus Self-Selection Pathway is a dedicated process that enables Flying Start partner services to identify children currently or intending to enrol in 3-year-old preschool at your service who may be an appropriate candidate for Preschool Plus.

Preschool Plus offers increased preschool hours of up to 30 hours per week in the two years before school, and is designed for children who are most likely to benefit from additional hours of preschool.

Learn more about Preschool Plus.

About the Self-Selection Pathway

In 2026 we are trialling a self-selection approach with selected services. Participation in the Preschool Plus Self-Selection Pathway is by invitation only.

Referral to Preschool Plus can also be initiated by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) and the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Self-Selection process

1. The OECD will advise participating services of their allocated Preschool Plus places to fill.
2. Services identify children they believe may be eligible for Preschool Plus and complete the Child Self-Selection Matrix to determine their priority for an available place.
   • Your service will be sent the Child Self-Selection Matrix via email.
3. Services offer a Preschool Plus place to families where the Child Self-Selection Matrix indicates the child is a high priority for one of the service's available places, confirm participation and record accepted and declined offers.
   • Use the Letter of Offer and Preschool Plus Acceptance, Declaration and Consent form
4. Submit the required information to the OECD to confirm the Preschool Plus placements.
   • See the Submitting Preschool Plus Self-Selection documents step-by-step guide
5. Deliver the Preschool Plus program and submit quarterly enrolment data and fee relief calculators where relevant.

Talking to families about Preschool Plus

There are a range of materials you can use to help you talk with families about Preschool Plus and explain the benefits for their child.

• Helping families understand Preschool Plus - a helpful guide to start conversations with a family and explain more about the program (for service use only)
• Letter of Offer to Preschool Plus - a template for formally offering a Preschool Plus place to a family.
• Preschool Plus fact sheet for families
• Universal 3-year-old preschool fact sheet - a quick explainer for 3-year-old preschool and benefits it provides to children.

Where can I get more information?

Speak with your Local Team or the Preschool Plus team about the Preschool Plus Self-Selection Pathway.

Email: OECD.PreschoolPlus@sa.gov.au