FROM 2025, Victoria will transition from four-year-old kinder to Pre-Prep in a rollout across the state, over several years.
Children will receive up to 30 hours per week of high quality, play-based learning in the year before school. By 2032, all children across the state will have access to 30 hours of Pre-Prep.
The rollout will happen in stages, ensuring our most vulnerable and disadvantaged children are prioritised for earlier access, no matter where they live, as well as Aboriginal children.
Pre-Prep will be delivered through sessional kindergartens and long-day-care centres, creating a high-quality, universal program that gives 4-year-old children greater opportunities to socialise and learn through play.
The roll-out starts in 2025 in parts of rural Victoria, and new local government areas will be added each year. Shepparton’s turn will come in 2028.
Studies show that developmentally appropriate 30-hour per week early learning programs can lead to improved learning and social outcomes. Using play-based learning, rather than being academically focussed, Pre-Prep programs will be led by qualified teachers.
