Two Limestone Coast kindergartens have been selected to take part in the state-first trial of after preschool care provided at 20 government preschools across South Australia.
Millicent North Kindergarten and Mount Gambier’s Gladigau Park Kindergarten are taking part in the trial, which follows recommendations by the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care led by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
The Royal Commission had submissions from a wide range of stakeholders who highlighted the need for government preschools to provide care options that meet the changing needs of working families.
Kindy Care will help support families who are increasingly needing care for their children outside of the regular preschool hours.
Families rely on OSHC provision for their school-aged children, but often OSHC services are not set up for preschool-aged children and do not generally accept enrolments for preschoolers. Many families need care for their preschool-aged children after preschool operating hours, so these trials will test how different models of a preschool out of hours care could work in preschool settings.
Kindy Care will allow children to maintain continuity, reduce transitions and engage in out of hours care appropriate to their developmental needs.
The Kindy Care trials will continue into 2025 and will provide valuable feedback to determine a broader rollout.
The department will also continue to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure eligible families accessing the Kindy Care program receive the Child Care Subsidy from Term 1, 2025.
