Path to Early Years Commission laid out in win for Australian families
Australian families and children are at the centre of today's announcement from the Federal Government to commence consultations on a potential Early Education and Care Commission.
The Albanese Government will consult with States and Territories, in what is a significant step towards strengthening the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system.
Over a million Australian families rely on ECEC services every day. This commitment to take a closer look at the system as a whole and consider changes to ensure it is stronger, safer and more fit for purpose is further progress.
The current system is fragmented - funded by the Commonwealth, regulated by States and Territories, delivered by thousands of providers and shaped by a myriad of policies.
The Thrive by Five coalition, including Minderoo Foundation, Early Childhood Australia, The Parenthood, The Front Project and SNAICC, welcomes the news as an important and positive step toward universal, safe and accessible, ECEC for all children.
Consultations on the design of a potential Commission will begin in July, with service providers, unions, peak bodies and other stakeholders. It’s important those discussions also extend to sector leaders, advocates and communities.
Thrive by Five is ready to work with Governments as they begin this process and will continue to push for children and families to be at the centre of the system.
Comments attributable to Nicola Forrest AO:
“Australia’s future starts in our children’s early years. Every child deserves to be safe, supported, and nurtured - no matter where they live.
The early education and care system should foster potential and inclusion and focus on long-term wellbeing of children. Accessibility, safety and sustainability must be at the heart of that system.
Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. It’s important we hear from sector leaders and community voices during the consultation process. This is a chance for us to make lasting change and put children at the centre of the system.”
Comments attributable to Samantha Page, CEO of Early Childhood Australia:
“It is important that the early childhood education and care sector is involved in the process of scoping the role of a new commission, capturing the practice wisdom and community connections that early childhood professionals can bring to system design.
“There is widespread support for system stewardship to better manage supply and demand and to drive quality improvements – ensuring that we have the professional workforce needed to ensure every child can thrive and learn.
“There is strong consensus on the need for system stewardship if we are to realise the goal of ensuring every family with a young child has the choice to access to high quality early childhood education and care in their community – building a universal, not uniform system with a mix of service types and care options.”
Comments attributable to Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood:
“The Parenthood has been calling for a National Early Childhood Commission because the reality for parents has been impossible to ignore; fragmented services, exorbitant costs, profits coming before safety and no single body accountable for it.
Children deserve an early childhood education and care system that puts them first. Today the Government has heard that call, and we welcome this blueprint unreservedly.”
Comments attributable to Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow, CEO of The Front Project:
“This is a pivotal moment for ECEC. A commission will deliver a once in a generation chance to get universal ECEC right.
It’s the right answer to a structural problem in ECEC and we know this will be enthusiastically welcomed by the early childhood sector.
We applaud the commonwealth for factoring in the time to work with states and territories to get it right. This is a bold reform and worth getting right.”
Comments attributable to Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC:
“An Early Childhood Commission presents an opportunity to reform and strengthen the Aboriginal community-controlled ECEC sector.
The development of the Commission must centre the experience, views and voices of our sector, reflecting holistic service delivery and cultural strengths.
We know the difference strong ACCO services can make to our children and communities.”
Comments attributable to John Hartman, CEO of Minderoo Foundation:
“Government plays a vital role in supporting children and families, but it can’t do this work alone. We welcome today’s announcement to commence consultation. Minderoo is committed to elevating the voices of our partners and Thrive by Five allies on the design of the potential Commission.
A universally accessible, high-quality early childhood education and care system is foundational to Australia’s long-term social and economic prosperity. It will give children and their families the support they need to thrive.”