Following nearly a decade of growth in preschool enrolment rates from around 70 per cent in 2008 to more than 90 per cent in 2016/17, enrolment rates have worryingly decreased over the past four years.

In the context of persistent educational inequality, and with around one fifth of Australian children starting school with developmental vulnerabilities, this is cause for real concern.

This report explores preschool policies, enrolment and costs around Australia, finding a patchwork of programs and costs across the country. The report makes the case for immediate action to increase funding and consistency to ensure that all Australia children can access two years of high-quality preschool and benefit from a strong start to their educational journey.

Key findings:

• Preschool cost and access depends on where you live
• Access to three-year-old preschool is increasingly unequal
• Reform is needed, but options are readily available