In December 2021, NSW became the first signatory to the new National Preschool Reform Agreement, which will deliver historic, long-term funding to benefit preschool-age children in the year before school regardless of the setting in which they attend. The development of attendance and outcomes measures aligned with the Preschool Reform Agreement provide the critical scaffolding for NSW to significantly expand its understanding of preschool participation, particularly for our First Nations children and children experiencing disadvantage. These measures are part of a broader set of reforms across Early Childhood Education in NSW to expand participation, quality and affordability.

The Preschool Reform Agreement replaces the 2018/2021 National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access, which supported universal access to, and improved participation by children in, quality early childhood education in the year before full-time school.