Starting now is a briefing paper from the Centre for Policy Development’ Early Childhood Development Initiative that sets out a roadmap to a universal, accessible and affordable early childhood system that families can rely on.
Following 2021’s Starting better report which provided a long-term vision for the best early childhood system for Australia, Starting now gives leaders a roadmap with concrete achievable steps over 12 months.
Starting now is a focused issues paper that sets out the first steps to the best early childhood system for future generations.
Following 2021’s Starting better report which provided a long-term vision for the best early childhood system for Australia, Starting now gives leaders a roadmap with concrete achievable steps over the next 12 months.
Starting now recommends swift and coordinated action in three key areas to deliver the guarantee for children and families:
The Guarantee makes clear what every young child and family needs for the best start in life. It is an entitlement Australians can rely on, regardless of where they live, how much money they have, or what their family looks like.
We have several guarantees in Australia now, such as free quality schooling to the end of Year 12 and healthcare. A Guarantee for Young Children and Families would accompany these as part of the social deal that binds Australian communities.
The Guarantee ensures:
The guarantee recognises that young children and families flourish when they can access a holistic range of support. It is based on global and local evidence of what has the greatest impact and what will work best for Australian children and families.
Children who thrive in their early years flourish throughout their lives.
Right now, we fail too many children and families.
The Guarantee delivers a triple dividend, with lifelong benefits for children, for parents, for early childhood professionals and for national prosperity.
These benefits include:
