Dear early childhood education colleagues
As 2025 comes to a close, I want to acknowledge the incredible work happening across the sector. I'm grateful for the chance to celebrate some of the great achievements from the past year.
As part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms, Pre-Prep began this year in 6 local government areas (LGAs). Services across the state have also been getting ready for the next stage: Pre-Prep rolling out to priority families and in a further 12 LGAs next year.
I’d like to congratulate services on this work. The increased learning hours will give children more time to grow their skills and confidence, and to develop strong bonds with their teachers and educators and with each other.
We will continue to provide support and resources as you deliver these changes. In this edition we introduce a Conversations with families about Pre-Prep resource to help you share information with families. The Kindergarten Sector Guide has also been updated and contains all key information on the Best Start, Best Life reforms.
In 2025, more than 145,000 children and families benefitted from free Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs. The Three-Year-Old Kindergarten roll-out continued, working towards 15 hours per week across the state. This built on last year’s incredible achievement of more than 80 per cent of funded kindergarten services delivering 10 to 15 hours of play-based learning each week.
Also this year, we have opened 66 new or expanded kindergartens. This includes 20 new kindergartens at government schools and 46 kindergartens on sector land. This will create more than 7,000 additional places, giving more children access to quality programs.
In 2026, we will open 24 kindergartens at government schools and 36 kindergartens on sector land.
We opened the doors to the first 4 Early Learning Victoria centres, with a further 14 to open in 2026, creating more than 1,400 new licensed places.
Crucially, in 2026 we will keep investing in you, the early childhood education workforce. Be sure to look at the new Early Childhood Quality Hub. It has free professional development courses and great resources for early childhood professionals in Victoria.
Child safety updates
This year has brought important reforms in child safety that will strengthen the early childhood education and care (ECEC) system and put in place stronger safeguards to protect Victorian children.
Following the Rapid Child Safety Review, the Victorian Parliament has now passed legislation to make the ECEC sector safer for children. This includes the establishment of a new independent regulator in our state, with the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) to start operation on 1 January 2026. There have also been important changes made to the National Law to strengthen the regulatory framework for all ECEC services. More details on what these changes will mean for the sector will be provided soon.
Thank you for your commitment to improving children's outcomes. Your hard work is critical in making lasting safety changes for Victorian children and families.
Other important information
Today (Wednesday 3 December) is International Day of People with Disability. We are committed to ensuring all children can take part in and enjoy high-quality early childhood education. We see benefits for all children when they learn with peers of different abilities and backgrounds. In this edition, read about an educator in Melbourne's north who is supporting children with additional needs to thrive.
In another significant milestone for Victorians and Australians, the Statewide Treaty will officially begin this month, with a ceremonial exchange between the Government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria at a public event at Federation Square on 12 December. Victoria has been on a pathway towards Treaty for almost 10 years and is now the only Australian jurisdiction to have a Treaty in place. You can find out more at the Treaty Victoria website. Early childhood services will continue to play an important role in supporting First Nations children to be strong in their identity, and supporting all Victorian children to learn about First Nations culture and history.
Thank you for your work supporting Victorian children and families this year.
I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday period. I hope you’re able to take a well-deserved break and enjoy quality time with your loved ones.
Tony Bates PSM
Secretary
Department of Education
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