By 2036, an additional 5,800 kindergarten places will need to be provided in Casey, which is more than double the size of Council’s current kindergarten service.

Early education service providers in Casey are calling for greater flexibility, sustainable funding and stronger workforce support to ensure equitable access and high-quality outcomes for all children and families.

Council is advocating for investment to build and upgrade Council owned early years facilities. This work will be guided by the Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plan (KISP), which identifies needs based on population growth. Furthermore, consultation with early education service providers in Casey have advised of the following priorities:

• Capital investment for early years infrastructure in Casey.
• Recurrent funding to strengthen workforce development and mentoring programs.
• Policy flexibility to enable mixed delivery models and culturally safe practices that meet local needs.
• Sustainable funding models that support viability for all service types, equitable access and high-quality outcomes for all families.