Office for Early Childhood Development

Big news for South Australian families 👏❤️

More than 180 additional early learning services are joining the Flying Start 3-year-old preschool program!

These services range across metro and regional South Australia, with over half of them based in regional areas, meaning more children will have sooner access to quality early learning.

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.

Want to see which services are part of Flying Start?
👉 Check out the Flying Start Preschool Finder https://bit.ly/4nZ0JRz

Thank you to Nido Early School Black Forest for welcoming us into your space! 🩵

Our third Leader’s Forum was a fantastic success! 💜

It’s so valuable to bring together our Flying Start partner service leaders from across South Australia, creating space for meaningful conversations around real-world experiences in implementing 3-year-old preschool.

Together, we explored key questions on how we can strengthen communication, build leadership capability and drive continuous quality improvement across diverse service contexts.

A big thank you to Anthony from Semann & Slattery for sharing insightful perspectives, and to Lucy Hood MP for announcing the inaugural Flying Start Early Childhood Awards! 🎉

Picture books by Aboriginal authors are a powerful way for children to learn about Culture, empathy and connection by engaging with the lived experiences and voices of Aboriginal people themselves. 💛

By embedding these stories into children’s everyday routines, Reconciliation becomes an everyday practice, naturally woven into their learning and respect for Culture.

Here are just a few of the many wonderful books by Aboriginal authors. These recommendations are a starting point - always engage with your local Aboriginal Community and thoughtfully evaluate the resources you use.

Looking for more Aboriginal children’s book resources?
👉 narragunnawali.org.au

It’s National Reconciliation Week! The 2026 theme ‘All In' calls us to move beyond awareness into meaningful, everyday commitment.

National Reconciliation Week is a time to reflect and contribute to a more respectful and unified Australia, through acknowledging past injustices, actively building trust and equity with Aboriginal people and their Communities.

Early education and care plays a vital role in shaping a more Reconciled nation. By recognising the distinctive rights and cultures of Aboriginal families and Communities and embedding children’s understanding of Aboriginal history and Cultures into everyday practice, we foster a shared national identity from the very beginning.

Photo of Kaurna Elder, Auntie Rosalind Coleman, guiding a yarning circle with children at Smithfield Plains Preschool ❤️

Looking for ways to be All In?
👉 https://www.reconciliation.org.au/ for events happening across South Australia!
👉 https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/ for practical resources to support meaningful Reconciliation in early childhood settings.

Each year, 26 May marks National Sorry Day, acknowledging the Stolen Generations - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families between the mid-1800s and 1980s - and to reflect on the Bringing Them Home report tabled in 1997.

This year’s theme, From Sorry to Action, highlights that while acknowledging past harm and injustices is important, only action delivers justice.

Stolen Generations organisations play a vital role in providing Culturally safe and healing-informed services for survivors as they age. Driven by the voices of survivors themselves, these dedicated organisations tirelessly work to deliver essential support and resources to their Communities.

Here are South Australian organisations supporting this work:

🖤 Nunkuwarrin Yunti: https://bit.ly/4wLwstH
For family tracing support, reunions and counselling.

💛 South Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation: https://bit.ly/4vdqobS
Ensuring survivors’ voices are heard in policy and decision-making.

❤️ The Healing Foundation: https://bit.ly/4dyK172
For more information about National Sorry Day and the ongoing work supporting Stolen Generations survivors.

Announcing the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards 🎉

South Australia has announced the inaugrual Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, to celebrate the educators, leaders and services who go above and beyond.

The Flying Start program continues to shape a new era of early childhood education outcomes, there has never been a more important time to recognise the passion, skill and dedication driving this vital work.

Know an outstanding achiever or contributor?

Stay tuned, nominations are opening soon!
👉 https://www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/for-providers/awards

The South Australian Government has announced 3 additional integrated hubs, launching between 2028 and 2030!

This announcement forms part of the Government’s $1.9 billion commitment to early childhood reforms, including a $13.1 million investment to establish 20 integrated hubs across South Australia by 2032.

The new integrated hub locations are:
🌱 Melaleuca Park Kindergarten, Mount Gambier
💛 Para Vista Preschool
🌈 Aldinga Beach Children’s Centre

These new hubs will enable children and families to access preschool, health, wellbeing and education services together in one place.

Thinking about your future career? 👀

At South Australia’s Careers & Employment Expo, we highlighted how play‑based learning supports children’s development and the important role early educators have in shaping young learners.

If you’re passionate about meaningful work with real impact, early childhood could be your pathway.

Explore career options, training pathways and workforce support by tapping the link below!

👉 https://www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/working-in-early-childhood

Working in early childhood education can involve supporting families experiencing adversity, which can have an impact on educators.

Join our free online or in-person sessions to learn how to recognise vicarious trauma and apply practical strategies to stay grounded and present with children.

Available in May and run by qualified practitioners across metro and regional South Australia, including:

💻Online

📍 Murray Bridge
📍 Christie Downs
📍 Mt Gambier
📍 Munno Para

👉 To register visit, https://www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/for-providers/professional-learning-for-staff

Calling South Australian early childhood professionals! 📣

If you work in regional, rural or remote communities, support disadvantaged or at-risk children, or face financial barriers - you could be eligible for a 2026 Early Childhood Australia Conference Scholarship!

Both in-person and virtual scholarships are available, helping to promote participation and reduce barriers to professional development.

This is your chance to join national conversations shaping the future of Early Childhood Education.

📍 Melbourne
📅 30 Sept – 3 Oct 2026
⌛ Applications close Friday 29 May 2026

👉 https://www.ecaconference.com.au/2026/conference-scholarships/