Tasmanian Government commits to three year old preschool plan

All eligible three year old Tasmanian children will have access to 400 hours a year of free early learning from 2020, in a plan announced yesterday by Jeremy Rockliff, Tasmanian Minister for Education and Training.

Citing research on lifelong education and well-being outcomes, Mr Rockliff said “The best time to invest is in the early years of life, when children learn to communicate, get along with others, and control and adapt their behaviour, emotions and thinking.”  

Five pilot locations have been chosen to roll out the initiative, known as Working Together for 3 Year Olds, with preschool access opportunities for a number of eligible three year olds available in 2019.

The five selected locations are Glenorchy, Devonport, Kingborough, Derwent Valley and Launceston – with a focus in Launceston on the suburbs of Mowbray, Rocherlea and Newnham. The suburbs selected are some of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged in the state, with Mr Rockliff saying the trial sites will support families who have been unable to access preschool programs to benefit.

The initiative will be fully implemented from 2020, and forms part of the $324 million investment into education by the Tasmanian Government.

“Ultimately, this initiative is about supporting 3 year olds in Tasmania to be confident, creative and to thrive,” Mr Rockliff said.

Children and families will be involved in the design and development of the initiative, with a project team working with the Tasmanian Council of Social Service, to gather feedback and consultation from children, parents and carers.

Mr Rockliff said that the government would work together with the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector and other key community services to create a valuable and accessible experience for those who most need it.

Tasmanian ECEC services wanting to be part of the initiative can find out more by contacting early.years@education.tas.gov.au