Priority of access

(Applicable for 3-year-old preschool offers only)

The enrolment policies of Partner Services must:

• promote fair, equitable access to preschool programs
• support all eligible children to access a preschool program, including those who face barriers to participation, especially for those experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage
• align with the priority of access requirement
• communicate priority of access policies to families at or before enrolment.

A priority of access policy for 3-year-old preschool supports greater access for children at risk of developmental vulnerability who would benefit the most.

This becomes particularly important during the roll-out of 3-year-old preschool where, in the short term, there may be more demand than available supply.

Evidence suggests child or family characteristics shown in the table below increase the risk of developmental vulnerability. Children within these priority groups should therefore be prioritised for access to a service that best meets their needs. For some children and families in these priority groups, access to 3-year-old preschool will be an important protective factor.

Partner Services can continue to prioritise 3-year-old preschool places for children under 3-years-old currently in their service. There is also the requirement for new places or additional days available to be prioritised to children applying for 3-year-old preschool at their service that fit within the below priority groups. This will be over and above other children applying for a place or seeking additional hours.

Children and their families that meet category 1 criteria should be prioritised over those who meet category 2 criteria.

• Partner Providers must make sure their application and enrolment policies reflect this prioritisation requirement, including ensuring that enrolment forms allow for the identification of children that meet category 1, 2 or both.
• Partner Providers can include other factors they may wish to prioritise, as a secondary consideration, once they have prioritised children who meet the priority of access criteria (in category 1 and category 2).
• Partner Services must make sure families enquiring about 3-year-old preschool at their service are aware of the priority of access categories.