- Published by:
- Department of Education
- Date:
- 11 Apr 2025
From 2026, all Victorian funded early childhood education services will start to deliver Pre-Prep to eligible children from priority cohorts across the state.
Evidence shows 2 years of early childhood education has a stronger positive effect on children who need extra support, giving them more time to deepen their learning experience with teachers and educators (visit The evidence behind 2 years and more time in kindergarten for more information about the benefits of 2 years of kindergarten and increased hours in the year before school).
Pre-Prep will launch to eligible children from priority cohort groups in 2026 and 2028.
Your local Early Childhood Improvement Branch (ECIB) can provide your service with tailored advice about delivering Pre-Prep. Please note that if your service started Pre-Prep in 2025 and is delivering more than 25 hours each week, some of the following information may not be as applicable.
2026 and 2028 priority cohort groups
Who is eligible under the 2026 and 2028 Pre-Prep priority cohort group roll-outs.
Supporting positive outcomes for children
The structure of programs contributes to their quality.
What to consider - Program models
What to consider to see how effective a program model may be.
Questions for reflective discussion
Questions to assist you work out the best program model for your service.
Planning to deliver more hours to priority cohort children from 2026
Steps to assist your service looks to how it will deliver Pre-Prep to children from priority cohorts.
Example scenario – Exploring program options for children from priority cohorts
How a service may go about exploring their program model options.
Where to get more help
Tailored advice from ECIBs and useful resources.
Updated