This report examines the implementation of large-scale social policy reform using the Victorian Government's roll-out of three-year-old kindergarten as a case study.
The initiative, which began in 2017, aims to provide subsidised kindergarten to all three-year-old children in Victoria, Australia. Implementing Large-scale Social Policy Reform: Three-year-old kindergarten roll-out in Victoria report is informed by interviews with 36 stakeholders, including public servants, political advisers, and leaders in the early childhood education and care sector, as well as analysis of key documents.
The report identifies the complexities of long-term policy reform, the importance of evidence-based decision-making, and the critical role of stakeholder engagement and consultation. The findings underscore the need for coordinated efforts across government, the early learning sector, and the community to achieve sustained and impactful change. The report also discusses the challenges and opportunities encountered during the reform process, offering valuable insights for future policy development and implementation in early childhood education and other social services areas.