The Victorian Government’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) reforms represent the most significant change to Victoria’s early childhood sector in a generation.
ACA Victoria plays a key role in the change management activities for the BSBL reforms, partnering with the Department of Education. These activities will support long-day-care providers in Victoria to deliver kindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-old children, in line with the scheduled roll-out.
As part of the reforms, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will gradually transition to Pre-Prep over the next decade. By 2032, Pre-Prep will become a universal 30-hour-a-week play-based learning program for 4-year-old children across Victoria.
Pre-Prep will begin in 2025, with children in six local government areas in regional Victoria being the first to benefit. It will then gradually roll out across the state.
Share Your Thoughts
ACA Victoria, in partnership with the Department of Education, is gathering feedback from our members to help support the successful rollout of the Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) reforms in Victoria.
Your input will shape the guidance and resources we provide as these changes unfold. Take a moment to complete this short survey to share your thoughts on Pre-Prep, the BSBL reforms, and any additional support you may need. Your responses will ensure we can offer the best support to our members as these reforms progress.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten
The rollout of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten will enable services to gradually expand, offering 15 hours of funded kindergarten by 2029. This initiative ensures that Victorian children benefit from two years of high-quality kindergarten before starting school.
Pre-Prep
Starting in 2025, Victoria’s Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will transition to Pre-Prep, with program hours increasing from 15 to 30 hours per week by 2036.
Gradual Rollout
- 2025: Pre-Prep will begin in six local government areas (LGAs) and will expand across the state in stages.
- Each year, additional LGAs will be included in the rollout, allowing time to grow the workforce, build infrastructure, and support services in preparing for expanded programs.
Priority Access Groups
Pre-Prep will also be introduced for priority groups statewide:
From 2026:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- Children from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds
- Children who have had contact with Child Protection
- Children supported by Access to Early Learning to attend Three-Year-Old Kindergarten
From 2028:
- Children who have (or have a parent or guardian who has) a Commonwealth concession card
- Children from a multiple birth (triplets or more)
Support and Resources for Kindergarten Initiatives
We are excited to offer a collection of new resources designed to support your efforts in promoting kindergarten initiatives. These materials include fact sheets, brochures, social media tiles, and links to additional resources, all aimed at helping you communicate the importance and benefits of early childhood education. Click the buttons below to access and download the resources you need to share with your networks.
Useful links
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep
Building Block Kindergarten Infrastructure Strategy
Transforming early childhood together
ACA Victoria Support
For any questions or support with change management at your service, please contact us on (03) 9532 2017 or email us at projects@childcarealliance.org.au