Construction is underway for a new Early Learning Centre (ELC) in Kingston SE to cater for the local community in the town and the wider area. The existing Kingston ELC service will be relocated to the new facility once it's completed.

The new Department for Education ELC will offer 83 early learning education and care places, including preschool and childcare. The new centre will incorporate integrated indoor and nature based outdoor learning spaces, in addition to consultation rooms for visiting child and family related health care practitioners and a space for community and family members to connect.

The new centre is anticipated to open in term 2, 2027, subject to approval by the Education Standards Board.

Key points

$8.8 million is being invested in the new early learning centre to support families living and working in the Kingston SE community and broader region.

Funding sources include:

• $3.5m Australian Government funding under the Growing Regions Program.
• $1.8m Australian Government funding from the Department of Education (Community Child Care Fund).
• $3.5m state funding from the South Australian Department for Education.

The new ELC service has been thoughtfully designed and planned to reflect the local Kingston community, providing a greater number of children access to early years education and care, and assisting more parents and carers to engage in work, study and community connections.

This project will enable transformational change for the community of Kingston SE, providing socio-economic and employment benefits, and greater educational outcomes for children in the first five years of life.

The new ELC will meet the childcare needs of the Kingston SE community while delivering an integrated education and wellbeing hub that enables families to connect, participate and thrive, generating lasting social and economic benefits for the broader community.

Enrolments

Expressions of interest from families wishing to enrol will open later in 2026.

Jobs

For those interested in future early childhood education and care employment opportunities at the new ELC service, consult the department’s education jobs portal later in 2026.