Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Ministers statements: early childhood education and care

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:52): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is improving the education of some of our youngest learners through the commencement of pre-prep. Last week I was delighted to attend Ararat Early Learning Centre alongside the member for Ripon from the other place to celebrate the first term of increased hours of kinder in regional Victoria through pre-prep. It was wonderful to meet the children who are already enjoying the benefits of 30 hours of free kinder each week. It was also a great opportunity to speak with the dedicated owner and centre director of Ararat Early Learning Centre Kerri Turner. The Ararat ELC is one of 37 services now providing more kinder hours across six regional areas this year. All kindergarten services in the local government areas of Ararat, Gannawarra, Hindmarsh, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack are delivering between 16 and 30 hours of free kinder. This once-in-a-generation reform is just commencing, and this year it is giving more than 500 four-year-old children more time to learn before they start school. Importantly, this reform is also helping parents return to work or study if they so choose. Thanks to free kinder, pre-prep is also saving families thousands of dollars. Giving children more time to learn through play before starting school has many benefits and can improve their early literacy, numeracy and emotional development.

Next year children living in 12 more local government areas will also have access to extra hours as pre-prep expands. In addition, Aboriginal children, children from refugee backgrounds and those who have had contact with child protection will also gain access to more kindergarten hours no matter where they live. By 2036 all children in a four-year-old program will have access to 30 hours of kindergarten each week.

I look forward to visiting more centres as the pre-prep reform expands in 2026. It is all part of the Allan Labor government’s nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, which are transforming early education.