WA Labor supporting working families in Kimberley with extended kindy

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will transform early childhood education in Western Australia by introducing free full-time, school-based kindy for four-year-olds.
  • Re-elected Cook Labor Government to transform early childhood education across the State
  • Kindergarten to be expanded to full-time at 10 primary schools across the State as part of a pilot program, including a Kimberley school
  • Reflects WA Labor’s commitment to supporting working parents while also helping children get off to the best start in their schooling life

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will transform early childhood education in Western Australia by introducing free full-time, school-based kindy for four-year-olds.

While kindy is not compulsory for four-year-olds, implementing full-time kindergarten for this key age group will increase the number of days of quality early childhood education and care on offer from five days per fortnight to five days per week – putting WA ahead of the rest of Australia, and saving working parents thousands of dollars in childcare costs.

Free full-time kindergarten for four-year-olds will begin in 2027 at 10 pilot locations across the State including in the Kimberley, with participating schools to offer it five days a week.

The trial will inform the broader rollout, with an aim to expand free full-time, four-year-old kindy Statewide through phased implementation.

The $33.8 million commitment includes funding for implementation, minor infrastructure, development of additional curriculum for four-year-olds, and a range of measures to grow WA’s early childhood workforce, such as incentives to attract more workers to places like the Kimberley.

WA’s kindy enrolment rates for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children are the best in the nation at 96.9 percent and 97 percent respectively, meaning WA Labor’s commitment to take this next step will eventually benefit every family with young children.

Comments attributed to Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton:

“Under a re-elected WA Labor Government, Western Australia will lead the nation when it comes to early childhood education."

“This is a gamechanger for working parents, giving them access to higher quality early childhood education that benefits their child’s development while also saving them money in childcare costs."

“Only the Cook Labor Government has a plan to help our kids reach their full potential, while also supporting our working parents.”

Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:

“This announcement will make a huge difference to local working parents here in the Kimberley."

“Importantly, it will also help to ensure our children get off to the best start in their schooling life.”

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