- Significant milestone in early childhood education with Full-time Kindergarten Pilot starting at five public schools
- A record 508,990 students begin Term 1 at schools in Western Australia
- Two new public primary schools open their doors for the first time
- Cook Government investing in education and early childhood development
The Cook Government's landmark free Full-time Kindergarten Pilot begins today, marking a major milestone in early childhood education in Western Australia.
The pilot is commencing at Roleystone Community College, Halidon Primary School, and Banksia Grove Primary School in the metropolitan region, and South Kalgoorlie Primary School and Dalyellup Primary School in regional Western Australia.
It comes as a record number of students are welcomed back to 835 schools today across Western Australia for the first day of school this year.
A total of 508,990 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 are expected in public and non-government school classrooms with 332,400 in public schools and 176,590 in non-government schools. There are an expected 23,490 students starting Kindergarten this week.
Premier Roger Cook and Education Minister Sabine Winton welcomed staff and students at Roleystone Community College this morning, as well as Kindergarten students who are part of the Full-time Kindergarten Pilot.
The $33.8 million initiative will see pilot schools deliver a high-quality play-based Kindergarten program that helps prepare children for school and supports their social and emotional development, while also saving families thousands of dollars in childcare costs.
Participation in the trial at the pilot schools is optional, and schools will work with families to support children where appropriate to access full-time attendance.
Additional schools will join the pilot in 2027, delivering on the government's election commitment to pilot full-time kindergarten in ten public schools from 2027.
The initiative forms part of the Cook Government's broader early childhood investments, including fee-free TAFE courses to build the early childhood educator workforce, and the development of the WA Play Strategy.
Led by the Office of Early Childhood, the WA Play Strategy will highlight the importance of play for children's learning, development and wellbeing across our community, including Kindergarten and the early years of school.
The pilot begins on a day of big milestones for public education across the State, with two new public schools opening their doors for students - Wungong Primary School in Hilbert, and Sunrise Primary School in Wellard.
Both Sunrise Primary School and Wungong Primary School cater for students from Kindergarten to Year 6, meeting the needs of their growing communities.
There are currently 64,421 registered teachers in Western Australia, which is a 3.31 per cent increase from last year.
Ongoing recruitment has ensured there will be a registered teacher teaching in every classroom, with 2,000 additional teachers employed compared to the same time last year.
It is also an exciting day for more than 950 first-year graduates who will take up their first teaching jobs in public schools across Western Australia.
The Department of Education's successful international recruitment campaign has seen 69 new teachers appointed to public schools across the State for the first day of Term 1. A total of 359 have been recruited through the program since January 2023.
The Cook Labor Government will continue to prioritise ensuring that Western Australians have access to high-quality education, with schools close to where they live.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Today is a special day for families with many young Western Australians starting school for the first time and others returning to school for another year.
"It's also a major milestone in early childhood education with the start of the Full-time Kindergarten Pilot at five schools across WA.
"Full-time Kindergarten will give more children access to the high-quality early learning experiences that set them up for success throughout their lives, while providing parents and caregivers with more flexibility.
"It's another example of how my government is investing in education and early childhood development - and doing what's right for Western Australian families."
As stated by Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"As we begin the 2026 school year, I'd like to warmly welcome school staff and students back to school.
"I want to thank school leaders, teachers, and support staff for the work they have done to prepare for the start of term, and to support families and students as they head back to classrooms.
"I am excited that the Cook Labor Government's optional free Full-time Kindergarten Pilot is beginning today at five public schools, delivering optional play-based Kindergarten five days a week.
"Quality early childhood education helps children build confidence, resilience and curiosity, while also supporting important foundations like language development and social and emotional skills.
"Today is also a proud moment for growing communities, with two new public primary schools opening their doors for the first time and giving families access to a great local school close to home.
"I look forward to continuing to visit schools throughout the year and meeting more school leaders, teachers, and students to celebrate the incredible work happening in Western Australian schools."
