{"id":454231,"date":"2026-02-02T20:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/454231\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T20:04:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:04:18","slug":"wa-to-launches-trial-of-free-full-time-kindergarten-at-five-public-schools-heres-how-it-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/454231\/","title":{"rendered":"WA to launches trial of free full-time kindergarten at five public schools. Here’s how it works"},"content":{"rendered":"

As kids in Western Australia headed back into the classroom after summer holidays, five of the state’s public schools began a trial of free full-time kindergarten.<\/p>\n

While the exact definition of kindergarten can vary by state, \u00a0in WA it refers to optional part-time schooling focused on play-based education for children aged three to five.<\/p>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

Kindergarten is play-based learning designed to prepare kids for pre-primary. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)<\/p>\n

“Kindy” is designed to prepare them for pre-primary, the first year of full-time schooling.<\/p>\n

Here’s what we know about how it works.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What schools are in the trial?<\/p>\n

As part of the trial, children can now attend kindy full-time \u2014 five days a week \u2014 though it remains non-compulsory.<\/p>\n

Currently, public kindergarten in WA is offered five days a fortnight.<\/p>\n

WA Labor promises full-time kindy for four-year-olds in national first<\/a><\/p>\n

Ten kindergartens are identified as pilot locations under the $33 million trial, half of them in the metropolitan area and the others in the regions.<\/p>\n

If successful, the $33.8 million initiative will be the first instance of free full-time kindy in Australia.<\/p>\n

Perth’s Roleystone Community College, Halidon Primary School and Banksia Grove Primary School will see the pilot rolled out, alongside Dalyellup Primary School in Bunbury, and South Kalgoorlie Primary School.<\/p>\n

The schools were chosen based on existing infrastructure, and will be funded at a full-time equivalent rate for each kindy student.<\/p>\n

With this added funding, schools can pay for the extra teachers and education assistants needed to provide full-time kindergarten.<\/p>\n

The Office of Early Childhood will take charge of evaluating the trial, and will seek feedback from parents, teachers and the community.<\/p>\n

When will the trial expand?<\/p>\n

The state government said an additional five schools will be added to the trial next year.<\/p>\n

\"Children<\/p>\n

Full-time kindergarten is now an option at five WA public schools.\u00a0 (Pixabay: Alicja)<\/p>\n

It has not provided any details on when the program would be rolled out state-wide, citing considerations relating to infrastructure and workforce capability.<\/p>\n

Crystal Miller is a single mother of four-year-old twin boys, who have been in full-time day care since they were four months old.<\/p>\n

\"Crystal<\/p>\n

Crystal Miller says her two boys are excited about the trial.\u00a0 (ABC News: Keane Bourke)<\/p>\n

She said full-time kindy would save her significant money on day care costs, and her kids are looking forward to swapping day care for kindy.<\/p>\n

“This is actually really good for them, and they’re ready … for all of those next steps,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Because we’re in the local catchment, they’ve already got friends that have travelled up with them, and they’ve been so excited.”<\/p>\n

WA Premier Roger Cook said full-time kindergarten would give more children access to high-quality education, providing parents and carers with more flexibility.<\/p>\n

\"WA<\/p>\n

Roger Cook says the trial will help working families.\u00a0 (ABC News: Keane Bourke)<\/p>\n

Is everyone in favour?<\/p>\n

However, not everyone supports the initiative.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Maggie Dent is not in favour of full-time kindergarten. (ABC\/Dreamchaser)<\/p>\n

Maggie Dent is a parenting author, former teacher, and host of the ABC’s Parental as Anything podcast.<\/p>\n

When free full-time kindy was first promised by WA Labor in February 2025, she told ABC Radio Perth it was a vote-winning measure that did not have children’s best interests at heart.<\/p>\n

Preparing your child for child care or kindergarten<\/a><\/p>\n

Knowing some settling techniques, as well as what you can advocate for on behalf of your child, can help their transition into child care or kindergarten.<\/p>\n

“We start stealing childhood off children in order to suit the economics \u2014 in other words, it’s so parents save money,” she said.<\/p>\n

“But we actually know that they’re better off at school sites, with highly trained early educators.”<\/p>\n

“I have the backing of all the academics and early childhood associations saying keep kids out of formalised learning environments\u2026 we will steal movement, music, play freedom, fun, we’ll lose all that.”<\/p>\n

Ms Dent also questioned whether the state had enough teachers to facilitate full-time kindy.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the WA government reported a 3.3 per cent increase in registered teachers compared to 2025, which equates to around 2,000 additional teachers.<\/p>\n

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