In a five-year study from Victoria, Australia, children who complete two years of kindergarten—covering ages three and four—enter school with linguistic, numeracy, and working-memory advantages over peers who only had one year of pre-school.

Among those two-year participants, language comprehension runs about five months ahead, while early numeracy and working memory lead by roughly three months.

Experts say educator experience and retention are critical for sustaining high-quality programs, and reforms plus ongoing support are needed alongside universal access.

As the universal free program expands, some councils warn of potential shortages in kindergarten places, especially in high-density areas with rising demand.

Findings show the strongest benefits for children attending at least 15 hours of kindergarten per week, underscoring the need for adequate teacher staffing and experienced educators to maximize gains.

Lead researcher emphasizes that gains come from play-based, language-rich environments rather than explicit instruction, highlighting the role of early childhood settings in building foundational classroom skills.

Policy aims to expand free kindergarten from 15 to 30 hours weekly by 2036, with participation this year already exceeding 147,000 children.

The EDGE Study evaluates Victoria’s policy of free three- and four-year-old kindergarten, notable for funding both age groups since its 2022 rollout and for its national significance.