Expanding access to early education in regional South Australia
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have reached an historic agreement under the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to deliver more not for profit early learning in South Australia. This will deliver projects in Kadina, Kimba and Quorn.
The Albanese Government will invest $5 million through the Building Early Education Fund to build a new expanded hub at the Kadina Child Care Centre, with the Malinauskas Government contributing $3.2 million towards the project.
Kadina Child Care Centre is run by a not-for-profit, community-based provider, and the expansion will increase Kadina Child Care Centre’s capacity by 109 places, raising total capacity to 162 places for families on the Copper Coast.
The Albanese Government will also invest $330,000 to expand services at Kimba Community Kindergarten, which will deliver an extra 20 new Centre based day care places on the Eyre Peninsula, and $330,000 for Quorn Kindergarten, which will deliver 20 new Centre Based Day Care places in the Flinders Ranges.
Both Kimba Community Kindergarten and Quorn Kindergarten are public early learning centres operated by the South Australian Department for Education.
All three projects are expected to be completed by early 2028.
The $1 billion Building Early Education Fund provides capital funding to build and expand early learning services in areas of need, including regional communities and outer suburbs, helping families access quality early learning close to home.
These investments will support workforce participation, strengthen regional communities and help more children get the best possible start in life.
More information about the Building Early Education Fund is available at: Building Early Education Fund - Department of Education, Australian Government
Quotes attributable to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas:
“This is exciting progress for early childhood education and care in our regional communities, delivering new long day care services and significant additional early learning places in areas where families need them most.
“Access to early learning services helps families balance life and work.
“Together, new facilities and a supported workforce will help families benefit not only from additional places, but from consistently high-quality early learning as universal three-year-old preschool is progressively rolled-out from January 2026.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Early Education Jess Walsh:
“Every child deserves access to quality early learning – no matter their postcode, or what their parents do.
“Our $1 billion Building Early Education Fund is delivering more early learning centres for more families in more places, particularly in our outer suburbs and regions.
“These projects in Kadina, Kimba and Quorn mean more families can access early learning close to home and more children can get the best possible start in life.
“This is an important step towards building a universal early childhood education system.”
Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer:
“We're proud to be the first state to sign on for funding under the Australian Government’s Building Early Education Fund.
“This investment demonstrates the strong partnership between the Australian and South Australian Governments, and our joint commitment to supporting more children and families in regional communities to access high-quality early learning closer to home. “This investment will provide families across Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Yorke Peninsula greater flexibility, enabling more choices about work, study or volunteering.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia, Karen Grogan:
“Investing in childcare is critical for working families in regional South Australia, and for the communities that depend on their skills.
“Early education can be transformational in a child’s life and this announcement highlights the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access right across South Australia.”