Office for Early Childhood Development

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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.

15/10/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Flying Start Early Childhood Awards! 🏆🌟

Today we celebrate the outstanding educators, leaders, professionals and services recognised for their exceptional contribution to early learning in South Australia.

We would also like to congratulate our finalists. The inspiring stories, dedication and commitment demonstrated by all nominees reflect the strength of South Australia's early childhood sector and its positive impact on children and families across our state.

We are proud to work alongside such passionate and committed educators, professionals and services, and we look forward to seeing the sector continue to grow and thrive.

Thank you for the difference you make in the lives of South Australian children and families every day ❤️

To learn more about the winners and the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/3TnHG8U

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlig...
12/10/2026

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlight on each award category and the incredible qualities recognised across our finalists.

The Excellence in Early Childhood Leadership recognises an individual who:
🔸 demonstrates outstanding leadership in early childhood education and care
🔸 strengthens service quality
🔸 inspires and supports others
🔸 leads meaningful improvement that enhances outcomes for children, families and educators
🔸 creates positive, inclusive and high-quality learning

Stay tuned as we announce the winners very soon! 🏆

To learn more about the finalists and the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/3TnHG8U

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlig...
10/10/2026

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlight on each award category and the incredible qualities recognised across our finalists.

The Early Childhood Teacher of the Year recognises a degree qualified Early Childhood Teacher, at any stage of their career, who:
🔸 leads high quality, inclusive teaching and learning
🔸 draws on strong pedagogy and reflective practice
🔸 makes a meaningful impact through intentional program design, evidence informed practice and strong relationships
🔸 supports children with diverse learning needs, strengths and interests

Stay tuned as we announce the winners soon! 🏆

To learn more about the finalists and the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/3TnHG8U

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlig...
07/10/2026

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlight on each award category and the incredible qualities recognised across our finalists.

The Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award recognises a Certificate III or Diploma-qualified early childhood educator, at any stage of their career, who:
🔸 makes a positive difference for children every day
🔸 shows pedagogical skill and warm, inclusive practice
🔸 creates safe, nurturing environments where children build confidence and a strong sense of identity
🔸 plays an important role in children's learning, wellbeing and development

Stay tuned as we announce the winners this month! 🏆

To learn more about the finalists and the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/3TnHG8U

After starting out in animation studies, Samantha Jenkins took a leap of faith and pursued her passion for working with ...
07/10/2026

After starting out in animation studies, Samantha Jenkins took a leap of faith and pursued her passion for working with children. Today, she's building a rewarding career in early childhood education and supporting the next generation to grow every day.

As South Australia expands access to preschool through Flying Start reforms, there are more opportunities than ever to start or grow a career in early childhood education and care.

Whether you're leaving school, returning to study or looking for a career change, there are supported pathways and exciting opportunities available across South Australia.

Ready to take the next step?
👉 Explore career pathways and supports: https://bit.ly/3xzZAdu

📖 Read more about Samantha's journey and careers in early childhood: https://bit.ly/4i3d71D

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlig...
05/10/2026

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlight on each award category and the incredible qualities recognised across our finalists.

The Aboriginal Early Childhood Award recognises a service or an Aboriginal person who:
🔸 makes an outstanding contribution to the ECEC sector that strengthens outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and Communities
🔸 is guided by Culture, strong relationships and connection with the local Aboriginal Community
🔸 demonstrates strong cultural responsiveness and supports Aboriginal cultural safety
🔸 shows a deep commitment to supporting Aboriginal children to thrive, through everyday practice, leadership, advocacy or service wide approaches

Stay tuned as we announce the winners this month! 🏆

To learn more about the finalists and the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/3TnHG8U

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlig...
03/10/2026

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlight on each award category and the incredible qualities recognised across our finalists.

The Outstanding Partnership & Collaboration Award recognises collaborative partnerships and programs that:
🔸 bring together ECEC services, allied health, health services and/or community organisations
🔸 understand children's strengths and identify developmental needs early
🔸 respond with evidence informed, family inclusive approaches
🔸 provide timely, coordinated and targeted support
🔸 reduce barriers to participation and strengthen inclusion so all children can thrive

Stay tuned as we announce the winners this month! 🏆

To learn more about the finalists and the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/3TnHG8U

Exciting announcement for Naracoorte families! 🎉 A brand-new early childhood hub will be built in Naracoorte, in a $12.7...
02/10/2026

Exciting announcement for Naracoorte families! 🎉

A brand-new early childhood hub will be built in Naracoorte, in a $12.7 million partnership between the Federal and State Governments.

The new facility will be an Integrated Hub, bringing together health, wellbeing and early childhood education under one roof. It will include allied health services, parenting programs and other community supports, and will boost capacity to 90 places to help meet growing demand across the region.

The hub will be built, owned and operated by Naracoorte Child Day Care Centre, a community-based not-for-profit, and is expected to open in early 2029. In the meantime, the existing service on Park Terrace will keep operating as usual.

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlig...
01/10/2026

As we count down to the announcement of this year’s Flying Start Early Childhood Awards winners, we're shining a spotlight on each award category and the incredible qualities recognised across our finalists.

The Uplifting Quality Award recognises ECEC services and Approved Providers that:
🔸 have made meaningful progress in lifting quality across all quality areas
🔸 have strengthened practice over time
🔸 demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement
🔸 deliver warm and responsive practice, intentional play-based learning and embedded reflective practice

Stay tuned as we announce the winners this month! 🏆

To learn more about the finalists and the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, visit:
👉 https://bit.ly/3TnHG8U

It was fantastic to see our partner Raising Literacy Australia launch the Shaping Deadly Minds pilot at the Taikurrendi ...
28/09/2026

It was fantastic to see our partner Raising Literacy Australia launch the Shaping Deadly Minds pilot at the Taikurrendi Children and Family Centre recently.

Shaping Deadly Minds supports Aboriginal families to yarn, play, share stories and sing with their little ones.

Building on the flagship Words Grow Minds program, Shaping Deadly Minds was co-designed with Aboriginal service providers, creative agencies and early learning experts to create culturally relevant resources in which Aboriginal children can see themselves and their stories reflected.

The free packs include books written and illustrated by Aboriginal people, a puzzle, playdough and a custom play mat, clapsticks and a family information and activity booklet.

The program is being piloted in metropolitan Adelaide, Port Augusta and Whyalla, with Community consultation and evaluation helping to inform plans for a future statewide roll-out.

To learn more about the program, visit https://bit.ly/3VTwvFz

📸 Photography by Bianca Joanna Photography

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Adelaide, SA

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