A new report from the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) has highlighted that achieving the government’s ambition for truly universal early education and care, one that works for all children and families, will be possible through bold reforms implemented over the course of the next decade.
The report, Growing Together: A future universal early childhood education and care system for Australia, proposes 10 key reforms to enhance accessibility, affordability, equity and quality, aligning early learning with other universal services like public schooling and Medicare.
Recent findings from the ACCC and the Productivity Commission have highlighted significant shortcomings in the early learning system, including complex subsidy and funding arrangements, lack of accessibility for many families experiencing disadvantage, a shortage of educators and services, and high costs for parents and families.
Research indicates that Australian families pay some of the highest rates in the OECD for childcare, yet 22% of Australian children start school developmentally vulnerable, and 126,000 children are missing out on early learning due to activity test rules.
The report’s major reforms include ensuring all children have access to a minimum of three days of early childhood education and care per week at low or no cost and replacing current funding arrangements with direct, base level funding for all providers, supplemented by additional needs-based and service-based funding to cover specific costs.
The report underscores the critical need for boosting workforce support and investment, clearly defining government roles and responsibilities, embedding equity and inclusion, and enhancing data sharing. It emphasises that these reforms are essential to creating an inclusive and effective early learning system. The report acknowledges that it will take time to transition to a new system, and proposes a 10-year timeframe to phase the elements in.
Centre for Policy Development CEO Andrew Hudson emphasised the need for action to address accessibility and affordability of early learning.
“This report lays out a clear vision for transforming early childhood education in Australia.
“Our current system is failing too many children and families. CPD’s reforms provide a well-defined and achievable pathway to build a more equitable and effective system.”
Program director Katherine Oborne added, “We know the early years of a person’s life are crucial, and attending high-quality early childhood education programs can set children up for success at school and later in life.
“By adopting these reforms, we can ensure that every child has access to the quality education and care they deserve.
“A new child-centred funding model—one that acknowledges families’ need for affordable care, addresses the diversity of children’s needs, and supports the workforce providing the care—will ensure all children can engage in early learning, making the system more accessible and affordable for families.
“The rewards will be enormous. Children will get the support they need to thrive into adulthood. Parents would be better able to balance work and care responsibilities, particularly women who are far too negatively impacted in their careers. It would get more people back into the workforce and provide a huge boost to the economy.
“It’s time for Australia to rise to the challenge and create an early learning system that works for everyone.”
