Is three too young for my child to start preschool? Here's why the answer matters.

Thanks to our brand partner, SA Government

Picture this: your three-year-old is chattering away, asking endless questions, ready to take on the world one minute, and clinging to your leg the next.

Sound familiar?

If you've ever wondered whether your little one is ready for preschool, you're not alone.

It's one of those parenting decisions that can keep you up at night. Is three too young? Will they be okay without you? Are you pushing too fast, or holding them back?

Well, we have some exciting news for South Australian families who've been pondering that very question.

The big news for South Australian families.

From January 2026, the South Australian Government will begin rolling out universal, quality preschool programs for three-year-olds — with every child set to have access by 2032.

These early learning programs are teacher-led and play-based, designed to nurture curiosity, connection and confidence during one of the most critical stages of brain development. It's about giving children the space, and the expert support, to explore, imagine and grow.

But before we dive into things, we must answer the pressing question: Is three too young an age to send a child to a preschool program?

To send, or not to send: that is the question.

Associate Professor Yasmin Harman-Smith, Head of the Early Years Systems Evidence at The Kids Research Institute, told Mamamia three is a crucial age for a child's development.

"All ages are important, but in terms of three, one of the things I think is really important is children are starting to form lots of different relationships alongside their primary care relationships," she explained. "Doing so, helps them really grow their confidence in the world."

An early-learning program can help equip a child who is ready with essential life skills.

"It's the beginning of their development of their sense of self and their agency in the world," Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith noted. "It's a really prime time for children to start stretching the boundaries of their world."

How preschool helps little learners thrive.

The benefits of quality early childhood education for three-year-olds are well-documented.

Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith explained there are several key areas where children thrive in these environments:

Language Development: "Language development is taking off at this age. Children's vocabularies are increasing really rapidly, how many words they put in sentences, the complexity of their language is really starting to grow," she said. "So it's a really great time for them to be exposed to lots of different people talking."

Social Skills: Here children start to navigate the complex world of peer relationships. "They're really using their imaginations to explore how the world works, how people work with each other," Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith said. "That happens through play, which is why it's so critical to expose kids to really rich play experiences."

Confidence Building: Children who attend quality early learning programs often show "reduced anxiety around strangers and new people, because they are starting to trust that there's lots of people that can be useful to them and kind to them and responsive to their needs."

What South Australia's new program offers.

From 2026, South Australia will begin introducing three-year-old preschool programs in both long day care and government and non-government preschools, with more sites joining each year. 

The new programs will provide up to 15 hours per week of play-based learning led by qualified early childhood teachers.

The focus isn't on early academics, but on supporting each child's unique stage of growth. "We're not talking about learning to read and write," Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith clarified.

Each preschool program should be designed to cater for individual needs, including children who require extra support for health, developmental or physical reasons. The goal is to create inclusive, nurturing environments that reflect the best parts of childhood — curiosity, play and connection.

Takeaways for parents and carers.

If you're feeling nervous about sending your three-year-old to a preschool program, that's completely normal.

When it comes to picking a program, Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith's advice is simple: trust your instincts.

"When you go into a place and you don't feel comfortable, it might not be the right fit for you," she said. "Go around and look at different settings, go and talk to the education teams, observe what happens in those rooms and how children are playing and interacting. Be curious about what kinds of experiences your child might have there that are hard to provide, on your own."

Parents are also encouraged to use practical tools to help guide their decision. Government resources like StartingBlocks.gov.au helps provide information on each service.

Families can also check for services participating in Flying Start to see which sites are partnering with the state government to deliver a teacher-led, play-based 3-year-old preschool program.

Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith said she made the decision to send all four of her children to early learning programs, from the ages of two and two-and-a-half years of age.

"I felt they were really ready," she said. "They were feeling quite confident in their relationship at home, and we'd reached our limit of the exciting things to do at home, but also I work full-time."

Every family and every child will be different, so it's crucial to tailor their experiences.

For Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith, her children had a balanced mix of time with grandparents, time at home, and time in early learning programs.

At home, parents can continue supporting learning through simple, everyday activities.

"Treat them like your little life apprentice," she suggested. "You'll see how interested they are in cooking, gardening or cleaning, or whatever you might be doing."

Should you choose to send your child to an early-learning program, don't underestimate the basics.

"They're going to need a lot more rest. They're going to have been so busy using their brains and their bodies," Assoc. Prof. Harman-Smith said with a laugh.

"So definitely focus on rest and nutrition."

Find your local Flying Start 3-year-old preschool partner at flyingstart.sa.gov.au

Feature image: Canva.

Start sooner. Go further. From 2026, families across South Australia will start gaining access to a new teacher-led 3-year-old preschool program. The program is supported by the Government of South Australia and designed to help every child build confidence, curiosity and the skills they need to thrive in learning and in life.
The government's investment in 3-year-old preschool will lift the quality of early childhood education across the state through investment in staff with higher qualifications, professional development, and extra supports for families and children through a Preschool Boost program.