Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care

Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

We want to hear about what you need from early childhood education and care.

What's being decided?

The Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care is investigating what can be done to better support families in South Australia so that our children can thrive, including offering 3-year-old preschool to all children.

Your input will help the Royal Commission gain a deeper understanding of how the early years system can better support children across South Australia.

Background

Research shows how crucial the years before school are to the rest of a child's life - 90% of adult brain development and growth occurs in the first 5 years.

A range of services provide what is called 'early childhood education and care'. These include:

  • long day care (often known as child care)
  • family day care
  • early learning centres
  • children's centres
  • preschool (often known as kindy or kindergarten).

The Royal Commission will focus on how these services can support all children to succeed, as well as looking at preschool for 3-year-old children and the supports families might need to access quality education and care, including out of school hours care at all ages.

Learn more about the Royal Commission and the current early years system on the Royal Commission website.

Get involved

OSHC providers and staff

The Royal Commission wants to hear from OSHC providers, OSHC Directors, school staff and school governing council members about the opportunities and challenges for OSHC in South Australia.

The Royal Commission is interesting in hearing:

  • What do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges to expanding OSHC services?
  • What are the issues that are unique to rural, regional and small schools when expanding OSHC services?
  • How does the current regulation of OSHC impact the operation and expansion of services?
  • What are the opportunities for OSHC for preschool age children?

Have your say by reading our OSHC issues paper and then taking our survey.

Parents, caregivers and families

The Royal Commission heard from parents and caregivers across South Australia via our survey. Their input will be incorporated into the Final Report due in August.

Other ways to contribute

To stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter.

You can also contact the Royal Commission by:

What are the next steps?

The Royal Commission is expected to run until mid-to-late 2023.

The Royal Commission will also speak with educators, experts, unions and service providers to develop the policy options to make South Australia's early childhood education and care system one that lays a strong foundation for all children.

The Commission's Interim Report focusing on 3-year-old preschool delivery has been delivered and the Final Report will be released by the end of August 2023.

The Government will then consider the report and the recommendations, and look at how to implement them.

We want to hear about what you need from early childhood education and care.

What's being decided?

The Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care is investigating what can be done to better support families in South Australia so that our children can thrive, including offering 3-year-old preschool to all children.

Your input will help the Royal Commission gain a deeper understanding of how the early years system can better support children across South Australia.

Background

Research shows how crucial the years before school are to the rest of a child's life - 90% of adult brain development and growth occurs in the first 5 years.

A range of services provide what is called 'early childhood education and care'. These include:

  • long day care (often known as child care)
  • family day care
  • early learning centres
  • children's centres
  • preschool (often known as kindy or kindergarten).

The Royal Commission will focus on how these services can support all children to succeed, as well as looking at preschool for 3-year-old children and the supports families might need to access quality education and care, including out of school hours care at all ages.

Learn more about the Royal Commission and the current early years system on the Royal Commission website.

Get involved

OSHC providers and staff

The Royal Commission wants to hear from OSHC providers, OSHC Directors, school staff and school governing council members about the opportunities and challenges for OSHC in South Australia.

The Royal Commission is interesting in hearing:

  • What do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges to expanding OSHC services?
  • What are the issues that are unique to rural, regional and small schools when expanding OSHC services?
  • How does the current regulation of OSHC impact the operation and expansion of services?
  • What are the opportunities for OSHC for preschool age children?

Have your say by reading our OSHC issues paper and then taking our survey.

Parents, caregivers and families

The Royal Commission heard from parents and caregivers across South Australia via our survey. Their input will be incorporated into the Final Report due in August.

Other ways to contribute

To stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter.

You can also contact the Royal Commission by:

What are the next steps?

The Royal Commission is expected to run until mid-to-late 2023.

The Royal Commission will also speak with educators, experts, unions and service providers to develop the policy options to make South Australia's early childhood education and care system one that lays a strong foundation for all children.

The Commission's Interim Report focusing on 3-year-old preschool delivery has been delivered and the Final Report will be released by the end of August 2023.

The Government will then consider the report and the recommendations, and look at how to implement them.