South Australian families will soon see major changes with the introduction of new preschool hubs and a faster rollout of universal three-year-old preschool. The State Government has allocated more than $30 million from the latest State Budget to support the initiative, which aims to give children a better start in life and ease the burden on parents.
The initiative will launch with four new integrated preschool hubs, including a new facility at the Goodstart Early Learning Centre in Elizabeth Vale. Other hubs will be located at Hackham West, Lake Windemere, and The Parks, with the Elizabeth Vale hub set to open in Term 4 of this year.
Premier Peter Malinauskas highlighted the importance of early learning in addressing developmental vulnerabilities among children. “It all starts with strong early learning,” he said.
The Elizabeth Vale hub will receive a $1.45 million investment, with $500,000 funded by the state government. The rest of the funding comes from Goodstart Early Learning and The Benevolent Society, who are working together to provide a flexible outdoor area and family-friendly spaces.
Minister for Education Blair Boyer described the move as a game-changer in early childhood education. “Preschool from three means more time for kids to build confidence, form friendships, and prepare for school—especially for those who need extra support,” Boyer said.
Each hub will offer up to 30 hours a week of preschool for three- and four-year-olds, along with access to health and wellbeing services. The hubs are part of a broader $127 million plan to build 20 integrated facilities across the state by 2032.
In addition to the hubs, the budget includes $27.7 million to speed up the introduction of three-year-old preschool in long day-care centres. This will provide more than 2,000 additional spots starting in 2026—one year earlier than originally planned.
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan emphasized that investing in early childhood education is key to reducing inequality. “The early years are crucial in setting the tone for a child’s life. If we want to close gaps and reduce disadvantage, we need to start here,” Mullighan said. “These measures will give families better access to quality care and offer more flexibility to balance work and parenting.”
In addition, the government is investing $3 million to extend the Kindy Care program, which provides out-of-school care for preschoolers. The program will run through 2026, offering a vital service to working families struggling to balance preschool hours with their own schedules.
“Kindy Care is about making life easier for parents and more consistent for kids,” Boyer said. “It’s the kind of change that helps keep kids settled, gives families peace of mind, and ensures that early learning fits better into modern life.”
With more than 6,000 three-year-olds expected to enroll in the first year alone, this rollout marks one of South Australia’s most significant education reforms. It’s part of a $1.9 billion investment in the state’s youngest learners over the next nine years.
