The evidence behind 2 years and more time in kindergarten

Victoria is expanding Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. This means children will get 2 years of quality play-based learning programs. These programs are designed and led by teachers and educators. These programs are guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

Pre-Prep will be available first for children who will benefit from it the most.

Starting a quality kindergarten program earlier has positive effects on child development. Kindergarten is a safe place for children to build skills, become more independent, and make friends.

Having a longer program in the year before school gives all children more time to learn and grow. It also allows services to build stronger relationships with children and their families.

A 2-year early learning program is supported by evidence from Australia and around the world:

• The first 5 years of life are a period of rapid brain development. By age 5, around 90% of a child's brain development is done.
• What children experience during these years can make a significant difference to their future cognitive, social and emotional outcomes, including how they manage their feelings and relate to others.
• Children who attend kindergarten for 2 years have better development in language, pre-reading, early number concepts, independence, concentration, and social skills when they start school.

Many countries provide 2 years and at least 20 hours of kindergarten in the year before school. For example:

• Estonia provides low-cost or free pre-school for all children from age 3 until they start school. The average Estonian 3- to 6-year-old attends 30 hours or more per week in formal early childhood education. This has led to better self-regulation, social emotional skills, literacy, and numeracy. It is linked to smaller gaps in learning and development due to socioeconomic background.
• In Finland, children can access free or low-cost early childhood education with a play-based curriculum and qualified staff. The benefits of attending kindergarten last up to age 15 and beyond. 
• In 2010, Ontario in Canada introduced a 30-hour per week program of play-based, teacher-led early learning. More hours increased children’s early literacy, numeracy and self-regulation skills compared to the previous 15-hour per week program.

Read more about the evidence supporting these reforms: 

• Two years of early childhood education - what the evidence says (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• Two years of early childhood education - what the evidence says (DOCX, 545 KB)