Young children will have an additional year of education according to a new plan by the governments of NSW and Victoria.
Key points:
- Children would attend new classes five days a week
- Exact models are yet to be developed
- Both states would offer the program in preschool settings
NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet and his Victorian counterpart Daniel Andrews want to introduce the New Year to four- and five-year-olds.
For NSW families, it will start in 2030 and fall a year before what is known as daycare.
Victoria plans to start in 2025, with a year of new school ahead of what is known as preparation.
Children would attend five days a week and it would be free.
“It will mean that in the next 10 years, all children in Victoria and NSW will experience the benefits of a full year of game-based learning before the first year of school,” the prime ministers said in a joint statement. .
“At the same time, it will benefit hundreds of thousands of working families.”
The exact model is yet to be developed, but both leaders are committed to working together to achieve reform.
In both states, the year will be taught in a preschool setting.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the data showed that the number of preschoolers had increased, but most children only attended two days a week, while this policy insisted on five days a week.
“So it’s a real turbocharger – offering the five days a week that we know makes a difference,” Mitchell said.
He said the government would build more community preschools and planned for them to be next to the primary schools or on their land.
Preschool is unlikely to be mandatory when first introduced.
“Universal preschool is something I’ve been working hard to bring to NSW for a few years now, having seen the benefits it has for children and families in countries like Canada,” Ms Mitchell said.
“When you look at the Canadian model that is being offered, 95 per cent of parents are taking advantage of this opportunity.”
He acknowledges that there is a shortage of child educators and accessibility issues in daycare that make it take time to implement this plan.
The NSW government has pledged to spend $ 5.8 billion over the next 10 years, some of which will be set aside in next week’s budget.
“This budget is about investing in a better future, and preparing our children for success is priceless,” said Treasurer Matt Kean.
“This reform will provide intergenerational results for our children and our economy.”
The Victorian government has set aside $ 9 billion to spend on reform over the next decade.
A consultation period will now begin.