More than 3,000 children and families in Canberra are accessing free three-year-old preschool each year, according to the latest enrolment data released by Deputy Chief Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith.

The program is offered through more than 150 early childhood education and care services across Canberra, providing up to 300 hours of free preschool with degree-qualified early childhood teachers. The average family saves $1,329 per child, said Stephen-Smith.

The ACT Government said that it was working to deliver a 2024 election commitment to double the program to 600 hours within the next two years.

Alongside the universal program, the ACT Government runs the targeted Three-Year-Old Initiative, which provides two days a week of free early learning for children experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage.

An additional 346 children are enrolled in the initiative. Combined, more than 60 per cent of eligible three-year-olds in the ACT are accessing either the universal or targeted program.

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