More kids enrolling in preschool

More children aged four to five were enrolled in preschool last year with a big jump in the percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled. 

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows nearly 9,000 more children were enrolled in preschool last year.

This is up 2.6 per cent on 2024 levels from 341,568 to 350,491.

Growth was even stronger for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, with a 7.4 per cent increase.

This means around 1,700 more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were enrolled in preschool last year, up from 23,206 to 24,914.

Of children enrolled in preschool there was also a 2.8 per cent increase in the number of children enrolled in preschool for at least 600 hours. 

The number of services delivering an early education program delivered to preschool aged children increased from 13,474 to 13,793.

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to expanding access to early education and care, including preschool. 

Since coming to government, there are 80,000 more children in early education and care, 52,000 more educators and more than 1,200 new services. 

Evidence shows children who attend quality preschool programs are more likely to do well in school and later in life. 

All Australian children are now eligible for three days of subsidised early education and care each week under the Albanese Labor Government’s 3 Day Guarantee.

The 3 Day Guarantee replaced the Liberals’ Activity Test which locked out thousands of families from accessing early learning and care. 

The Government is investing around $430 million over four years to deliver the 3 Day Guarantee. 

The Government is also investing $1 billion through the Building Early Education Fund to build or expand early learning services in areas of need, including outer suburban and regional areas.

This is all part of our work to create a quality universal early childhood education and care system.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“If you ask a primary school teacher which children have been to preschool, they can spot them and pick them out for you. 

“Those kids are ready when school starts. 

“But we know that there are a whole bunch of kids that miss out.

“The big reforms we’ve introduced will help more children start school, ready to go and ready to learn.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh:

“Preschool gives children a great start in life and helps prepare them for school.

“Teachers have told me the big difference it makes for children. 

“Every child deserves access to quality early learning – no matter their postcode, or what their parents do for work.

“This is why the Albanese Labor Government is putting in place the building blocks of quality universal early education and care.”