Tasmanian children could be the youngest children in the nation to participate in school-based Kindergarten pre-school programs if the state government passes school starting age changes.
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A comparison of early learning and school starting ages has been commissioned by the Australian Childcare Alliance, who oppose the changes, shows Tasmanian children could start in-school pre-school at 3.5 years old.
The proposed changes by the government hinge on the definition of pre-school, or Kindergarten, and the first year of formal school, also known as Prep.
The current procedure for Tasmanian children is they start their first formal year of school, or Prep, at five years old. They have access to pre-school, or Kindergarten, the year before, at four years old.
Proposed changes by the state government would mean children would start Prep at 4.5 years old and can participate in pre-school Kindergarten at 3.5 years old.
The changes would mean Tasmanian children would be back in line with other states when they begin Prep but they would be the only children in the country to have participated in an in-school pre-school Kindergarten programs.
Victoria and New South Wales do not have pre-school programs in place before school starts at 4.6 years old. Pre-school programs in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory are offered in day care and not in-school.
Pre-school programs in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory are offered in day care and not in-school.
Concerns have been raised by the child care sector, with many citing centre closures and price rises as a result of the changes.
ACA presented to the City of Launceston council on Monday.
“Six-month earlier access to Prep and Kindergarten will ensure all Tasmanian children have access to quality early learning sooner. Currently, Tasmanian children can receive up to two years less education than their interstate peers,” Mr Rockliff said.
An Education Department spokesperson said the early childhood sector had been consulted many times on the proposed changes. In addition a KPMG report is expected in September that has been commissioned.
The changes to the school starting age has yet to pass the Legislative Council. It will debate it later in the year.