Last week I was invited by the Minister to the announcement of the Universal Preschool Reform and the transformative injection of funding that will be available to increase the workforce, infrastructure and MOST importantly the education of our youngest students into play based learning the year prior to starting school.

This injection of funding opens up the opportunity for ALL children in all contexts across NSW to attend preschool for no cost five days a week leading up to starting their primary schooling. This funding will be injected into existing community preschools and creating new spaces in our schools. Excitingly, the announcement included the developmental checks for all children being done prior to them coming into our settings to support students emotional, social, psychological and educational needs. A pilot will commence in 2023. This IS an invaluable transition for school readiness and how students will in the future come ‘school ready’ into Kindergarten.

Proudly, the media release states that NSWPPA is one of the key stakeholders who will be an integral part of the codesign plan as this reform unfolds. Minister Mitchell publicly stated we were key stakeholders.  This reform has many positive societal ramifications. This is a reform that potentially sets all students on a trajectory for a rich foundation for future learning.

I felt incredibly privileged to be part of this announcement representing every one of you recognising the importance of early years education and school readiness.