More hours offered in the year before school gives more time for children of all backgrounds and abilities to deepen their learning and development.
Australian and international evidence shows that 2 years of quality kindergarten can provide life-long benefits and help set children up for success in school and life.
Two years of quality kindergarten can lead to better development in language, pre-reading, early number concepts, independence, concentration, and social skills.
The additional hours provide more opportunities for children to experience the benefits of play-based learning at a time when their brains are rapidly developing.
Children can further develop their identity, sense of belonging, wellbeing, love for learning and communication skills.
Teachers and educators have more time to build relationships with children and understand how they best learn.
Children who need extra support gain the most from more hours of quality early learning programs in the year before school. More hours give more time for relationships to develop between teachers, children and their families. It also provides greater flexibility for learning to meet the needs of each child.
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