On 27 March, IPAA SA hosted a candid and insightful conversation with Kim Little, inaugural Chief Executive of South Australia’s Office for Early Childhood Development, as part of our On the Couch series.

Kim shared reflections on her career across early childhood system design, preschool reform and public sector leadership, offering a holistic perspective on what children, families and communities need to thrive. She spoke about leading one of the state’s most significant reform agendas and the challenges of delivering equitable, inclusive and future-focused early childhood outcomes.

Held under the Chatham House Rule, the session featured an open discussion followed by a Q&A, with attendees invited to submit questions in advance to help shape the conversation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this insightful session.

Learn about our speakers

Kim Little

Chief Executive
Office for Early Childhood Development

Kim Little is the inaugural Chief Executive of the Office for Early Childhood Development in South Australia. Working with her team and across governments and departments, Aboriginal leaders, sector stakeholders, unions, the professions, parents and the community, she is tasked with leading the design and implementation of the landmark reforms flowing from the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

She brings her expertise in education and social policy issues to the table as South Australia embarks on bold reforms to reduce developmental vulnerability among young children.

Kim moved to the OECD from her position as the lead Deputy Secretary for the implementation of the Victorian Government’s ambitious Education State kindergarten reforms. This included the introduction of universal 3-year-old kindergarten in sessional and long day care settings, equity funding to support educationally disadvantaged kindergarten children to thrive, and successful programs to lift the quality of kindergarten-offering services.

Kim worked in the Victorian Government in various leadership roles in early childhood and higher education and skills, focusing on policy matters, market design and intervention. She has also worked as a philosopher at Monash University and as a corporate lawyer.

Kim grew up in rural and remote Queensland and Papua New Guinea and is married to a South Australian.

Event brought to you by

IPAA SA

Date
Friday, 27 March 2026