Office for Early Childhood Development

Office for Early Childhood Development We're giving all South Australian children a Flying Start. 🚀 Read the full response to the Royal Commission.

The Office for Early Childhood Development was formed with a clear mandate: to create a fairer and better future for all children in South Australia. We’ll do this by responding to the full suite of recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care. The Royal Commission provided a clear idea about the best way to deliver quality preschool programs 3- and 4-year-olds,

and how families can be supported in the first 1000 days of their child’s life. It also made recommendations on how to improve access to out of school hours care, and the flow-on benefits of this for increasing workforce participation by parents. The Government of South Australia has committed to action on all recommendations, whether it be direct state investment and reform, identifying an alternative approach or advocating to the federal government for change. The OECD is South Australia’s early childhood development system steward. The Office partners with governments and departments, Aboriginal leaders, sector stakeholders, unions, the professions, parents and the community to create a better and fairer future for children across South Australia. This will include working collaboratively to mobilise long day care, early learning centres, and government services in every community to deliver a new offer of universal 3-year-old preschool. It will help put cutting-edge insights about supporting healthy child development into practice. The Office is working systemically and locally to create the quality preschool supply we need and to support service integration and connection for families.

Today is Early Childhood Educators Day, and what better way to celebrate than by announcing the finalists of the inaugur...
02/09/2026

Today is Early Childhood Educators Day, and what better way to celebrate than by announcing the finalists of the inaugural Flying Start Early Childhood Awards! 🌟

We’ve been inspired by the number of incredible stories shared through nominations for these Awards. They highlight the passion, dedication and impact of early childhood professionals and services across South Australia.

Congratulations to all finalists, and thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. You have helped spotlight the important, positive difference made by the early childhood sector every day.

Stay tuned as we celebrate our finalists and announce the award winners in October!

To read about the finalists and learn more about the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards visit: https://bit.ly/4fXBtJs

Today is Indigenous Literacy Day, a day created by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to honour Aboriginal peoples' Stor...
02/09/2026

Today is Indigenous Literacy Day, a day created by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to honour Aboriginal peoples' Stories, Cultures and languages 🖤💛❤️

We've shared some titles from the 'Our Yarning' collection at Mount Gambier Library — created by Library For All, a project that brought local First Nations storytellers together to share their stories and knowledge. If you're in the area, go check it out!

You can also explore your local library or visit libraries.sa.gov.au/firstnations to browse the First Nations Collection.

What's a favourite Indigenous children's book in your house? Tell us below!👇

Reading time with children can be even more special with a few simple tweaks 📚✨Swipe through for tips to make the most o...
26/08/2026

Reading time with children can be even more special with a few simple tweaks 📚✨

Swipe through for tips to make the most of reading time together 👉

For more activities and tips on reading with your child, visit Raising Children Network

Great discoveries begin with a child being curious about the world around them 🌱This National Science Week, we're celebr...
18/08/2026

Great discoveries begin with a child being curious about the world around them 🌱

This National Science Week, we're celebrating the little scientists in our lives and the questions that drive them to explore, investigate and learn.

Let's encourage children to look a little closer, wonder a little more and enjoy the discoveries waiting to be made!

Learn more about National Science Week and explore events happening across South Australia: scienceweek.net.au

We're making the most of South Australia's experienced early childhood teaching workforce through the Provisionally Regi...
13/08/2026

We're making the most of South Australia's experienced early childhood teaching workforce through the Provisionally Registered Teachers Mentoring Program! 🌟

Delivered by Early Childhood Australia, the program will connect provisionally registered teachers with experienced early childhood teachers for tailored mentoring, guidance and support.

Expressions of interest are now open, find out more: https://www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/for-providers/quality-and-workforce/prt-mentoring-program

The Provisionally Registered Teachers Mentoring Program has launched, delivered by Early Childhood Australia and funded for eligible participants by the Government of South Australia as part of the Flying Start reforms.

Provisionally Registered Teachers across South Australia can access tailored one-to-one or group mentoring with an experienced early childhood teacher, with practical guidance towards their portfolio and connection to a community of early career teachers. Fully registered Early Childhood Teachers are invited to apply as mentors.

Expressions of interest are open now: https://bit.ly/4wZTLj2

12/08/2026
The 2026 Minister’s Early Childhood Advisory Forum Network was a great success! 💙We brought together leaders, educators,...
11/08/2026

The 2026 Minister’s Early Childhood Advisory Forum Network was a great success! 💙

We brought together leaders, educators, service providers, researchers, policymakers and partners from across South Australia’s early childhood sector to share perspectives, reflect on the Flying Start reforms and look ahead at how we can continue strengthening outcomes for children and families.

We also heard directly from services about how the reform is working in action; the realities, opportunities and challenges of implementing change on the ground.

These conversations and partnerships matter. The expertise, experience and ideas can help create an early childhood system that reflects our highest aspirations. One that gives every child the opportunity to thrive.

We also heard directly from The Hon Lucy Hood MP Minister for Education, Training & Skills, who provided an important address on the future of early childhood education in South Australia.

Thank you to all our speakers, panellists, partners, network members and other invited guests for sharing their experiences, expertise and honest perspectives throughout the day.

Together, we can continue building a stronger, more connected early childhood system for South Australia.

Seaton Community Children's Centre | Kudos Services | Port Pirie West Children's Centre | Goodstart Early Learning Burton | The Front Project | Australian Childcare Alliance South Australia

It’s Early Learning Matters Week! 🌈Organised by Early Childhood Australia, Early Learning Matters Week highlights the vi...
05/08/2026

It’s Early Learning Matters Week! 🌈

Organised by Early Childhood Australia, Early Learning Matters Week highlights the vital role early learning plays in supporting children's development, wellbeing and future success.

And in the spirit of learning, we're doing a little myth-busting! 💡

3-year-old preschool helps children build confidence, social skills and a love of learning through play, setting them up for a stronger start at school and beyond.

By 2032, every 3-year-old child in South Australia will have access to 15 hours a week of the Flying Start preschool program, making a real difference for children, families and communities across the state.

To find out more about 3-year-old preschool, visit: flyingstart.sa.gov.au

Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres S...
03/08/2026

Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children growing up strong in Culture, Community and Country 🖤💛❤️

This year's theme, Living Our Truth, honours truth-telling and the passing of knowledge, stories and identity from one generation to the next.

It's a theme that speaks to the heart of the recently launched South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy, shaped over two years in genuine partnership with the Aboriginal Co-design Governance Group, the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network and Aboriginal Communities. The Strategy recognises that Aboriginal children, families, Elders and Communities are at the centre of shaping the best outcomes for future generations.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is being celebrated in early learning services, schools and Communities across the Country through storytelling, Cultural learning, singing, dancing, Aboriginal languages, art and Community gatherings.

As we embrace and celebrate this day, it strengthens our commitment and resolve in prioritising and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in all that we do.

To find out more about the South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy, visit:
👉 earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/AECS

Address

Adelaide, SA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Office for Early Childhood Development posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Office for Early Childhood Development:

Shortcuts

Share

Category