In 2025, Pre-Prep rolled out across 37 services in 6 regional local government areas (LGAs).
This year children from a further 12 LGAs are eligible for between 16 to 20 hours of Pre-Prep. Children from priority groups will also have access to 16 to 25 hours of Pre-Prep, no matter where they live. This will increase to 16 to 30 hours from 2028.
Priority groups eligible for 2026 access are:
- children who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- children from a refugee or asylum seeker background
- children who have had contact with Child Protection or are in out of home care
- children who were supported by Early Start Kindergarten or the Access to Early Learning program for Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.
Video case studies are available to support services through change. They share practical insights into program redesign and workforce planning.
The videos support services at different stages of readiness. They highlight what has worked, common challenges, and lessons learnt.
Insights from Mentone Pre-School
Mentone Pre-School is a single-room service run by a Committee of Management. In the video Mentone Pre-School: Preparing for 2026, key stakeholders reflect on how they redesigned their program. This was part of their preparation to deliver additional hours of funded kindergarten from 2026.
Insights from Ararat Early Learning Centre
Ararat Early Learning Centre (ELC) was one of the first services to introduce Pre-Prep in 2025. They have shared useful insights about how they have grown and supported their workforce to implement additional hours of funded kindergarten in the Building a Local Workforce video.
Operating in a regional location, the service uses ‘home-grown’ strategies combined with department support to make sure they have the staff to deliver a high-quality Pre-Prep program.
Further resources to support with Pre-Prep implementation
- Best Start, Best Life Information for professionals – toolkits, policies and resources to support the Best Start, Best Life reforms.
- Kindergarten Sector Guide – key information about early childhood education in Victoria.
- Get ready for the new kindergarten year – December 2025 Early Childhood Update article with further resources.
- Pre-Prep roll-out schedule – find out when your LGA is rolling out Pre-Prep, and about early access for priority groups.
- Career supports – key information about the department’s support for early childhood teachers and educators, including financial support to upskill.
Find out more
For tailored support and local knowledge, contact your Early Childhood Improvement Branch.
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