The Victorian Government is investing $14 billion in the Best Start, Best Life reforms. These reforms are intended to improve early learning outcomes for Victorian children through quality education programs.
A two-year learning program, including more hours in the year before school, is supported by evidence from Australia and around the world. Studies have shown better development in language, pre-reading, early number concepts, independence and concentration when starting school.
The reforms include;
- Free Kindergarten - for all eligible three- and four-year-old children
- Three-Year-Old kindergarten - the introduction of three-year-old kindergarten, with programs increasing to 15 hours by 2029
- Pre-Prep - Four-year-old kindergarten will increase to 30 hours by 2036
- Early Learning Centres - 50 new Early Learning Centres in areas that need them most
- Kindergarten Infrastructure - Significant investment in infrastructure across the State, including new kindergarten on School sites
- Kindergarten workforce - increased investment to attract, upskill and retain quality Early Childhood teachers and educators
Pre-Prep rollout for 4-year-old children
As a part of the State Government’s Best Start, Best Life Reform, 4-year-old kindergarten will begin to increase from the currently funded 15 hours to 30 hours of pre-prep by 2036. In Casey this will start in 2034, services will be required to increase to 20 hours before reaching 30 hours in 2036. For more information about Pre-Prep visit Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep
2026 Priority 4-year-old Pre-Prep Children
From 2026 eligible children will be able to access between 16 and 25 hours of 4-year-old kindergarten. The hours of Pre-Prep will vary from kindergarten-to-kindergarten.
Children/Parents who;
- Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- From a refugee or asylum seeker background
- Who have had contact with Child Protection (present or in the past)
Eligible families will be contacted by Casey's Kindergarten Enrolment and Planning Team who will provide further information regarding their 4 year old kindergarten options for 2026. For more information about Pre-Prep visit Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep