Preschool for three-year-olds will start in Murray Bridge in 2026
Next year three-year-olds will be able to access some preschool services in Murray Bridge, with a play-based learning program.
This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.
In 2026 three preschools in Murray Bridge will offer their services to three-year-old children.
Research has shown that two years of quality preschool supports children to ensure they are ready to learn on their first day of school.
Kin Kin Early Education, Murray Bridge Community Children's Centre and Tyndale Christian School's early learning centre have been chosen as the three local places to implement the program next year.
The state government plans to deliver 15 hours of three-year-old preschool to every South Australian child by 2032 as part of the $1.9 billion Flying Start program.
The program will help more than 6000 three-year-olds access teacher-led, play-based learning programs.
Murray Bridge Community Children's Centre director Reema Verma said research clearly showed that two years of preschool was essential for children before they entered schooling at around five.
"The children will be able to learn more about emotional regulation, the teamwork and confidence building in their general activities and having the capability to problem-solve things," Ms Verma said.
"At this age, the play-based learning is the only way that will work best ... I think it gives everyone more balance with the children."
The centre's approach to learning was very individualised and focused on the children, their families and community, she said.
"We can actually seek out different approaches from allied health professionals and get the extra support we may need," she said.
"If (we're) not investing in (our children) now, we can't expect things to happen miraculously in 10 years' time or 20 years' time."
Kin Kin Early Education centre manger Sarah Miller said the centre's current kindergarten room was for 3-5-year-olds already, so the program would be an extra bonus.
"We get more funding to do more training and professional development," she said.
Ms Miller is very passionate about early education development, and said the program would give educators more security to understand their relationships with children.
"If you don't have that connection with children you can't teach them anything," she said.
Although it was a great program, Ms Miller still acknowledged the lack of support for families who struggled or couldn't afford early child care.
"At least having some subsidised care will help because lots of people can't afford the full fee," she said.
"It's all about community here."
When will three-year-olds start at other preschools in the Murraylands?
Three-year-old preschool will be rolled out over the next seven years:
- 2026: Kin Kin Early Education, Murray Bridge Community Children's Centre, Tyndale Christian School
- 2027: Mannum Kindergarten, Tailem Bend Kindergarten
- 2028: Fraser Park Preschool, Murray Bridge Preschool Kindergarten
The state government funding will provide more than 2000 additional places from 2026 and expand each year until universal access is achieved by 2032.
The standard offering for three-year-old preschool will be for 15 hours per week, or up to 600 hours per year.
- More information: Attend information sessions at Kin Kin Early Education from 4-6pm next Tuesday, or at Murray Bridge Community Children's Centre from 10-11am on August 20; contact Tyndale Christian School on 8531 4600; or visit www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au.
